# permission

/pɝˈmɪʃən/ (US) · /pəmˈɪʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. authorisation

noun · CEFR A2

the act of allowing someone to do something, often given by someone in charge.

For teachers: formal or informal authorisation or consent granted by an authority figure.

- You need to ask your teacher for permission before you leave the classroom.
- The developer had to obtain written permission from the local council before beginning any structural work on the historic building.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the abstract concept of being allowed to do something.

### 2. computing access

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

settings on a computer that decide who can see or change a file.

For teachers: flags or access control lists associated with a file or system that dictate user access levels.

- I cannot open the document because I do not have permission to view it.
- The system administrator updated the folder permissions to ensure that only the accounting department could modify the payroll spreadsheets.

Usage: Often used in the plural ('permissions') in technical contexts.

## Examples

- You need permission to leave the room.
- The teacher gave the students permission to use their calculators during the final math exam.
- Obtaining written permission from the copyright holder is a mandatory step before any of the archival footage can be included in the documentary film.

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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.