# licensed

/ˈɫaɪsənst/ (US) · /lˈaɪsənsd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/licensed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. having official permission

adjective · CEFR B2

having a legal document or official permission to do a specific job or activity.

For teachers: having been issued a formal licence by a governing or regulatory authority to perform a specific function.

- You must be a licensed driver to operate a vehicle on public roads.
- The state requires all licensed electricians to complete a safety course every two years to maintain their professional standing.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 2. permitted to sell alcohol

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English

describing a place, like a restaurant or shop, that has permission to sell alcohol.

For teachers: authorized by law to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises.

- We looked for a licensed restaurant so we could have a glass of wine with dinner.
- The hotel bar is a fully licensed premises, allowing guests to enjoy spirits in the lounge until midnight.

Teaching tip: In British English, a 'licensed grocer' or 'licensed premises' specifically refers to the legal right to sell alcohol.

### 3. gave official permission

verb · CEFR B2

the past tense of 'license', meaning to give someone official permission.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'license', meaning to grant a formal permit.

- The government licensed the new radio station to broadcast across the city.
- The software company licensed its proprietary encryption technology to several smaller firms for a significant annual fee.

Usage: This is the past tense form; in American English, both the noun and verb are often spelled with an 's', while British English uses 'c' for the noun and 's' for the verb.

## Examples

- He is a licensed pilot who flies small planes.
- Only licensed contractors are permitted to perform electrical work on the new office building to ensure safety standards are met.
- The government requires all licensed practitioners to undergo periodic training to maintain their credentials and stay informed about updated medical protocols.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.