1 [C] a licence (for sth/to do sth) an official paper that shows you are allowed to do or have sth 执照；许可证: Do you have a licence for this gun? 你的这支枪有执照吗？The shop has applied for a licence to sell alcoholic drinks. 这铺子已申请卖酒许可证。 ☞Look at driving licence. 参看driving licence。

2 [U] (formal 正式)licence (to do sth) permission or freedom to do sth （做某事的）许可，自由: The soldiers were given licence to kill if they were attacked. 军队接到指示，如有人来袭击，格杀勿论。