license is on the Academic Word List.

Other spellings

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Pronunciation

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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.

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.