ˈlaɪsəns ˈlaɪsəns ˈlaɪsəns ˈlaɪsəns pəˈmɪʃən pɚˈmɪʃən ˈpɝmɪt the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization authorize officially I am licensed to practice law in this state a legal document giving official permission to do something freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech) excessive freedom; lack of due restraint when liberty becomes license, dictatorship is near the intolerable license with which the newspapers break … the rules of decorum