Approval

Approval is the act of officially accepting or sanctioning something, or the state of being approved. It denotes consent granted by a person or authority authorized to authorize it. The concept appears in law, governance, business, and everyday life, and may be informal or formal. The word originates from Latin approbare, meaning to test and endorse.

Types and processes of approval vary by context. Explicit approval involves an expressed consent or signature, while implicit approval may be inferred from actions or silence. In organizations, approval often follows a formal process with defined roles, criteria, and thresholds, such as design approvals, budget sign-offs, or regulatory clearances. Digital workflows frequently use multi-step approvals to ensure accountability and traceability.

In politics and public administration, approval takes several forms. Approval ratings measure public support for leaders or institutions through polls. Legislative or regulatory approvals are required to authorize laws, budgets, permits, or projects, sometimes involving committees, hearings, and statutory criteria. In law and finance, loan approvals, contract approvals, and compliance sign-offs are routine prerequisites for operation or transaction.

Socially, approval relates to social acceptance and conformity. People may seek approval from peers, leaders, or communities, and social approval can influence behavior, norms, and self-esteem. Conversely, lack of approval can prompt dissent or noncompliance.

Limitations and concerns include biases in who grants approval, potential manipulation, delays, and the tension between authorization speed and due diligence. Cultural and organizational differences can shape what counts as legitimate approval.

See also: consent, endorsement, authorization, sanction.