clearance
🇬🇧 /ˈklɪərəns/
🇺🇸 /ˈklɪrəns/
📖 Definitions
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noun
The act of clearing or removing obstacles, obstructions, or unwanted items.; The space or distance between two objects, especially the minimum distance required for safe passage.; Official permission or authorization, especially to access classified information or restricted areas.; A sale of goods at reduced prices to clear out inventory.; The process by which a substance is removed from the body, especially by the kidneys or liver.; In banking, the process of settling a check or financial transaction between institutions.; In sports, the act of kicking or hitting the ball away from one's own goal or defensive area.
🔗 Details
Word forms
countable / uncountable
Plural: clearances
Collocations
security clearancecustoms clearanceclearance saleground clearanceheight clearanceget clearance
Derivatives
clearclearlyclearingclearableclear-cut
Synonyms
permissionauthorizationapprovalspacegapallowance
Antonyms
obstructionblockage
Commonly confused
clearing
EN: 'Clearing' refers to an open area in a forest or the act of removing things; 'clearance' refers to official permission or the space between objects.
Spelling tips
EN: Remember 'clearance' has an 'a' before the 'nce' ending — not 'clearence' or 'clearrence'.
💬 Examples
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The clearance of the forest made way for the new highway.
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The truck barely had enough clearance to pass under the bridge.
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He needed top-secret clearance to enter the research facility.
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The store held a massive clearance sale at the end of the season.
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The patient's renal clearance was measured to assess kidney function.
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The check will take three business days for clearance.
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The defender made a crucial clearance to prevent a goal.