permitted

Permitted is the past participle of the verb permit and an adjective meaning allowed under rules, laws, or norms. It describes actions, behaviors, or items that have been granted authorization or are otherwise within the scope of permission. The status of something as permitted is conditional on a governing rule or authority; what is permitted in one jurisdiction or context may be restricted in another.

Etymology: The word derives from the Latin permittere, meaning to let through or allow, formed from per- “through” + mittere “to send.” It entered English via Old French and Middle English, acquiring its modern sense of authorization.

Usage: In formal writing, permitted is used to indicate compliance with a rule or license. Examples: “Only permitted personnel may enter this area,” “Baggage items allowed are those permitted by the airline,” and “Such activity is permitted under the current regulations.” In some legal and planning contexts, permitted contrasts with prohibited or restricted and can appear in phrases like “permitted development” in planning law. It can also function as a past participle in perfect tenses: “The use of the device has been permitted by the authorities.”

See also terms related to permission, such as permit, permission, authorization, and permissible. While similar to allowed or permissible, permitted emphasizes formal or official authorization, often tied to rules, licenses, or statutes. The concept is ubiquitous across disciplines—from law and regulation to daily life—where clarity about what is permitted helps define permitted conduct and permissible activities.