licensing
UK: ˈlaɪsənsɪŋ | US: ˈlaɪsənsɪŋ
n. the act of granting formal permission or legal authority (e.g., for an activity, product, or service)
vt. the present participle of "license," meaning to grant such permission
The word "licensing" derives from the root "license," which originates from the Latin licentia (freedom, permission), itself from licere (to be allowed). The suffix "-ing" transforms the verb into a noun (gerund) or present participle, indicating the ongoing action of granting permission. The term evolved through Old French licence before entering Middle English, retaining its core meaning of formal authorization while expanding to modern legal and commercial contexts.
The company handles software licensing for major tech firms.
Licensing agreements must comply with local regulations.
She is responsible for licensing new healthcare products.
The artist avoided licensing his work to maintain creative control.
Strict licensing laws govern the sale of alcohol in this region.