permission
n.-
1 authorisation (n.) A2 Elementarythe act of allowing someone to do something, often given by someone in charge.
formal or informal authorisation or consent granted by an authority figure.
ExampleYou need to ask your teacher for permission before you leave the classroom.
ExampleThe developer had to obtain written permission from the local council before beginning any structural work on the historic building.
UsageUsually uncountable when referring to the abstract concept of being allowed to do something.
PitfallI asked for a permission to leave.I asked for permission to leave.In general usage, 'permission' is usually uncountable and does not take the article 'a'.
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2 computing access (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computingsettings on a computer that decide who can see or change a file.
flags or access control lists associated with a file or system that dictate user access levels.
ExampleI cannot open the document because I do not have permission to view it.
ExampleThe system administrator updated the folder permissions to ensure that only the accounting department could modify the payroll spreadsheets.
UsageOften used in the plural ('permissions') in technical contexts.
- access rights
- privileges
From Middle English permision, permission, permissioun, permyssion, from Middle French permission, from Latin permissiō. Equivalent to permit + -ion. Mostly replaced native English leave, from Old English lēaf (“permission”).
- Nounpermission
- Adjectivepermissible
- Adjectivepermissive