clearance

noun

clear·​ance ˈklir-ən(t)s 

1

: an act or process of clearing: such as

a

: the removal of buildings from an area (such as a city slum)

b

: the act of clearing a ship at the customhouse

also : the papers showing that a ship has cleared

c

: the offsetting of checks and other claims among banks through a clearinghouse

d

: certification as clear of objection : authorization

security clearance

e

: a sale to clear out stock

f

: authorization for an aircraft to proceed especially with a specified action

clearance to land

2

: the distance by which one object clears another or the clear space between them

3

: the volume of blood or plasma that can be freed of a specified constituent in a specified time by its excretion into the urine through the kidneys

a creatine clearance of 25 milliliters per minute

called also renal clearance

Synonyms

• allowance
• authorization
• concurrence
• consent
• granting
• green light
• leave
• license
• licence
• permission
• sanction
• sufferance
• warrant

Examples of clearance in a Sentence

She has a security clearance that allows her to see the classified information.

The pilot got clearance to land.

That flight has not received clearance for landing.

There was only 10 inches of clearance between the car and the side of the tunnel.

a bridge with a 100-foot clearance above the water

the clearance of forests for farming

slum clearance to make room for new housing

Recent Examples on the Web

Every homeowner who meets state guidelines for home hardening and brush clearance should be guaranteed access to coverage. —Carmen Balber, The Mercury News, 18 June 2024

Venus, the planet of joy and beauty, is dancing into your expressive 5th house, giving you cosmic clearance to leave mundane matters for another time in favor of highlighting whatever brings joy into your life. —Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2024

If renting a car, Carlow recommends booking one with higher clearance, as lower vehicles are more prone to becoming stuck on dirt roads. —Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2024

Ulta Beauty Refresh your skin-care routine courtesy of Ulta Beauty's clearance section, which features favorites from Cosrx like the viral Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and Eva NYC to elevate your at-home blowout game. —Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 14 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clearance

• clearance sale
• renal clearance
• road/ground clearance
• security clearance

Kids Definition

clearance

noun

clear·​ance ˈklir-ən(t)s 

1

a

: an act or process of clearing

b

: the act of clearing a ship at the customhouse

c

: the papers showing that a ship has cleared

d

: authorization for an airplane to proceed

2

: a sale to clear out stock

3

: the distance by which one object keeps from hitting or touching another or the clear space between them

Medical Definition

clearance

noun

clear·​ance ˈklir-ən(t)s 

: the volume of blood or plasma that could be freed of a specified constituent in a specified time (usually one minute) by excretion of the constituent into the urine through the kidneys

called also renal clearance