license

license is on the Academic Word List.

Other spellings

• licence

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈlaɪsəns/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: li‧cense

Noun

Singular license

Plural licenses

1. (countable) A license is an official piece of paper that allows you to do something, such as drive, open a business, etc.

   I got my driver's license when I was 16 years old.

Verb

Plain form license

Third-person singular licenses

Past tense licensed

Past participle licensed

Present participle licensing

1. The act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization.

   It was decided to license Wikipedia under the GFDL.

2. Officially authorize.

   I am licensed to practice law in this state.