clearance
gb/klˈɪɹəns/ us/klˈɪɹəns/
A2
English
~ 3400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
relation
1
official authorization
When someone in power says you are allowed to do something.
Usage pattern:
to get/have/receive [clearance] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'clearance' with 'clarity'; 'clearance' means permission, not being easy to understand.
Synonyms
authorization (A formal or official approval, often interchangeable in bureaucratic contexts.)
Antonyms
prohibition (An official order that something must not be done.)
Collocations
security clearance
|obtain clearance
|customs clearance
|medical clearance
Themes
law
|business
|security
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The pilot received clearance to take off from the control tower.
- You need security clearance to enter that building.
- We can't start the project without government clearance.
- The shipment is waiting for customs clearance before delivery.
Learner examples
- I got clearance to visit the factory.
- She needs medical clearance to play again.
- He has a high-level security clearance.
- We must wait for clearance from the police.
Noun
B1
action
2
removal of obstacles
When something is taken away so it is no longer in the way.
Usage pattern:
[clearance] of [something]
Synonyms
removal (A general term for taking something away; less specific about obstacles.)
Antonyms
obstruction (Something that blocks or prevents movement.)
Collocations
land clearance
|snow clearance
|clearance operation
Themes
construction
|safety
|environment
|work
|daily_life
Examples
- The road is closed for snow clearance.
- Land clearance is needed before building can start.
- The army carried out a clearance operation in the area.
Learner examples
- Snow clearance will start at 6 a.m.
- We need land clearance before we build.
- The workers did clearance of the old furniture.
Noun
B2
quantity
3
space between objects
The space between one thing and another thing above, below, or next to it.
Usage pattern:
[clearance] between [two things]
Synonyms
gap (A general word for space between things; not always used in technical measurements.)
Antonyms
contact (When two objects touch each other without space in between.)
Collocations
minimum clearance
|ground clearance
|height clearance
Themes
transportation
|engineering
|safety
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The bridge has a clearance of 4.5 meters.
- Make sure there is enough ground clearance for the vehicle.
- Low clearance signs warn drivers of tall vehicles.
Learner examples
- The bridge has low clearance for trucks.
- Check the clearance before you drive under.
- This car has high ground clearance.
Noun
A2
event
4
sale to clear stock
When a store sells things cheaply to get rid of them quickly.
Synonyms
sell-off (Informal term for selling goods quickly, sometimes due to closure or change.)
Antonyms
full price sale (Goods sold at their normal price without discount.)
Collocations
clearance sale
|end-of-season clearance
Themes
shopping
|business
|finance
Examples
- They're having a huge clearance on winter clothing.
- We bought the furniture in a clearance sale.
- End-of-season clearance starts next week.
Learner examples
- The shop has a big clearance now.
- I bought these shoes in the clearance sale.
- Clearance prices are very low.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clearance
IPA
GB/klˈɪɹəns/
US/klˈɪɹəns/
Syllables & stress
clear - ance (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (clear)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: clearance
- Plural: clearance, clearances
Word family
Expressions
clearance sale
1/klˈɪɹəns sˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
discount sale to clear stock
A time when a store sells things cheaply to get rid of them.
Examples
- The store is holding a massive clearance sale this weekend.
- I bought this coat during the summer clearance sale.
customs clearance
1/kˈʌstəmz klˈɪɹəns/
fixed phrase
technical
customs approval process for goods
Official checks that allow goods to enter or leave a country.
Examples
- The shipment is waiting for customs clearance.
- Customs clearance took longer than expected.
security clearance
1/sɪkjˈʊɹɪti klˈɪɹəns/
fixed phrase
technical
permission for classified access
Permission to see secret information or enter a secure place after checks are done.
Examples
- He applied for top-level security clearance.
- Without security clearance, you cannot enter this section.