1li·cense (US) or chiefly Brit li·cence 
/ˈlaɪsn̩s/ noun
plural li·cens·es /ˈlaɪsn̩s/ noun 1 [count] : an official document, card, etc., that gives you permission to do, use, or have something
▪ The restaurant's owner applied for a license to sell liquor. ▪ a liquor license ▪ a fishing license — often used to refer specifically to a driver's license ▪ I have to renew my license. ▪ She was arrested for driving without a license. ▪ He lost his license after he was arrested for drunk driving. ▪ He had to show his license to prove his age. — see also driver's license, marriage license 2 : freedom to act however you want to — followed by to + verb [noncount] ▪ His job as a reporter gives him license to go anywhere and ask anything. [singular] ▪ She regards her illness as a license to treat other people badly. [=she thinks that because she is ill she can treat other people badly] 3 [noncount] : the freedom of an artist, writer, etc., to change the way something is described or shown in order to produce a work of art
▪ artistic/poetic/creative license 4 [count] : a document or agreement that allows a certain number of people to use a computer program
▪ We have a license for 10 users.
▪ The restaurant's owner applied for a license to sell liquor. ▪ a liquor license ▪ a fishing license — often used to refer specifically to a driver's license ▪ I have to renew my license. ▪ She was arrested for driving without a license. ▪ He lost his license after he was arrested for drunk driving. ▪ He had to show his license to prove his age. — see also driver's license, marriage license
▪ artistic/poetic/creative license
▪ We have a license for 10 users.
a license to print money
sometimes disapproving : a way of making a large amount of money very easily
▪ He says that if the new law is passed it will give these companies a license to print money.
▪ He says that if the new law is passed it will give these companies a license to print money.
under license
: in a business arrangement where one company gives official permission to another company to do or make something
▪ The company makes computer chips under license from the original manufacturer.
▪ The company makes computer chips under license from the original manufacturer.
