license
n. countablen. an official document or card that gives you permission to do something, like drive a car or own a business.
n. a formal permit or legal document granting permission to perform a specific action or own a particular item. Often used in the context of professional certification or regulatory compliance.
You must show your driver's license to rent a car.
The restaurant had to close temporarily because its liquor license had expired and the renewal was delayed.
Obtaining a pilot's license requires hundreds of hours of flight time and a rigorous series of written examinations to ensure safety standards are met.
From Middle English licence, licens, lisence, lissens, licance, from Old French licence, from Latin licentia (“license”), from licens, present participle of licere (“to be allowed, be allowable”); compare linquere, Ancient Greek λείπω (leípō, “leave”).
From Middle English licencen, licensen, lisensen, licent, from Old French licencer, licencier, licenciier, licenser, from Medieval Latin licentiō (cf. English licentiate).
In British English, 'licence' is the noun and 'license' is the verb; in American English, 'license' is used for both forms.
He has a driving licence.He has a driver's license.While 'driving licence' is standard in British English, American English speakers almost exclusively use 'driver's license'.