
noun
- formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something, as to carry on some business or profession.
- a certificate, tag, plate, etc., giving proof of such permission; official permit: a driver’s license.
- permission to do or not to do something.
- intentional deviation from rule, convention, or fact, as for the sake of literary or artistic effect: poetic license.
- exceptional freedom allowed in a special situation.
- excessive or undue freedom or liberty.
- licentiousness.
- the legal right to use a patent owned by another.
verb (used with object), li·censed, li·cens·ing.
- to grant authoritative permission or license to.
verb (tr)
- to grant or give a licence for (something, such as the sale of alcohol)
- to give permission to or for
see licence. Related: Licensed; licensing.