approval

noun

ap·​prov·​al ə-ˈprü-vəl 

: an act or instance of approving something : approbation

The change is subject to the committee's approval.

Phrases

on approval

: subject to a prospective buyer's acceptance or refusal

stamps sent to collectors on approval

Synonyms

• approbation
• blessing
• favor
• imprimatur
• OK
• okay

Examples of approval in a Sentence

children who never gained their parents' approval

Do I have your approval to make the changes?

The rally will be on May 19, provided the city gives its approval.

The government has so far withheld approval of the drug.

We were required to get approvals at each stage of the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

The crowd roared its approval Monday evening when Boise Mayor Lauren McLean’s decision to continue to fly a Pride flag outside of Boise’s City Hall was alluded to, despite another new Idaho law banning such a display. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025

The company intended to move the drug into late-stage testing, which is generally the last phase of development before a company submits the potential treatment to government regulators for approval. —Time, 15 Apr. 2025

College football’s spring transfer portal window opens on Wednesday, but settlement approval — which seems likely — is still pending. —Sam Khan Jr., New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Don’t do them for social media, for likes or for others’ approval. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see approve

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing approval

• approval rating
• find approval/favor
• meet with one's approval
• pre-approval
• seal of approval
• stamp of approval

Rhymes for approval

• removal
• disapproval
• reapproval

Kids Definition

approval

noun

ap·​prov·​al ə-ˈprü-vəl 

: an act or instance of approving