permit
PER-mit
/ˈpɜːrmɪt/
An official document or license giving authorization to perform a specific activity or business.
As a noun (stressed PER-mit), it refers to the legal document itself required by municipal authorities.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'per-' (through) + 'mittere' (to send or release). Literally meaning 'to allow to pass through', it reached English via Anglo-French 'permitre' in the late Middle Ages.
Word relationships
- license: A license grants general professional entitlement, while a permit often authorizes a specific activity, event, or location.
- authorization: Authorization is generic approval, whereas a permit is a physical or official legal document.
- prohibition: A prohibition officially bans an activity.
- ban: A ban revokes or denies permission to operate.
Commonly confused with
- permission: Permission is abstract consent; a permit is the tangible administrative document granting that consent.
Word family
- permission (noun): Consent or agreement given by an authority.
- permissible (adjective): Allowed or acceptable according to rules.
Collocations
- health permit
- vendor permit
- parking permit
- apply for a permit
Example sentences
- "The food truck owner displayed her health permit clearly in the service window for public view." Municipal regulation
- "Without a valid parking permit, street food operators face steep city fines." Urban zoning
Memory hook
A PERmit PERmits you to perform your trade legally. Permit = official paper pass.
When not to use
Do not confuse the noun pronunciation PER-mit with the verb pronunciation per-MIT.
Fun facts
- New York City capped its mobile food vending permits in 1983, creating decades-long waitlists and a thriving permit-subleasing market.
Related words
Explore more words
give permission, authorize, license, permissive, pass, unauthorized
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