clearance

noun

clear·​ance ˈklir-ən(t)s How to pronounce clearance (audio)
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

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 More than 60% of these clearances were related to demand from other parts of the country and 21% to foreign markets. Simi Thambi​, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 The Mail on Sunday reported that Eugene Futcher, chairman of the West Berkshire Ramblers, a local walking group, launched a counter application, pursuing clearance to have the path be a public right of way. Janine Henni, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 Shark recommends an area with three feet of clearance on each side of the base and five feet of clearance in front so the robot itself has room to come and go. PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024 Shelley Ballance Ellis, a former production executive on the game shows, and Monique Diaz, a former member of the series’ clearance and licensing department, each filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on Thursday. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clearance 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clearance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clearance was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near clearance

Cite this Entry

“Clearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clearance. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

clearance

noun
clear·​ance ˈklir-ən(t)s How to pronounce clearance (audio)
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 How to pronounce clearance (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on clearance

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