26984 words

licence

10 definitions • 22 examples
1
an official document that gives you permission to own, do, or use something, usually after you have paid money and/or taken a test:

Examples:

a dog licence
a driving licence (US driver's license)
a TV licence
2
permission or freedom to do what you want:

Examples:

As parents, they allowed their children very little licence.
[ + to infinitive ] He was given licence to reform the organization.
3
the freedom of artists, writers, etc. to change the facts of the real world when producing art
4
with special permission from the person or company who has created a product:

Examples:

It's a German product, made under licence in British factories.
5
another spelling of
6
an official document from the government, court, etc. that gives you permission to do, have, or own something:

Examples:

a driving/driver's/pilot's licence The bank will insist you produce a driving licence or passport as a form of ID.
a business/operating licence
a gun/firearms licence
If there is any delay, the licence holder can be fined.
grant/issue a licence The council granted a licence that allowed the premises to stay open until 3 am.
have/hold/get a licence
own/apply for/renew a licence
refuse/suspend/take away a licence
a licence expires/runs out
7
permission given by a company to produce or use something that they have created or that belongs to them:

Examples:

a software/publishing licence
licence for sth A licence for PC network use costs £900.
licence to do sth a licence to publish the book throughout the world
8
permission or freedom to do what you want:

Examples:

licence to do sth
He thought his position allowed him licence to be rude.
9
a situation in which a person or organization is given the permission or opportunity to become very rich without much effort:

Examples:

Healthcare should not be seen as a licence to print money for the private sector.
10
with permission from the person or company who has created a product:

Examples:

It can appoint a foreign company to manufacture its product under licence.

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