English · Word Candidate

license

/ˈlaɪ.səns/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: licenses · licensing · licensed

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Tài liệu pháp lý cho phép chính thức thực hiện một việc gì đó

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

NounRegister: US

Examples

Hello. I would like to buy a fish licence please.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Điều khoản pháp lý mà một người được phép sử dụng sản phẩm, đặc biệt là phần mềm

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

NounRegister: US

Examples

Thus, while the license will grant the user the right to use the software, a major concern is the scope of that use. For example, will the user be granted the right to copy, modify, or transfer the software?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To authorize officially.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Uy quyền chính thức

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

VerbRegister: US

Examples

I am licensed to practice law in this state.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(applied to a piece of intellectual property) — To give formal authorization to use.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Cấp phép chính thức để sử dụng

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

VerbRegister: US

Examples

It was decided to license Wikipedia under the GFDL.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “license” mean?

A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.

Is “license” formal or informal?

license is generally US.