clearance
noun
clear·ance
ˈklir-ən(t)s 
1
: an act or process of clearing: such as
a
: the removal of buildings from an area (such as a city slum)
b
: the act of clearing a ship at the customhouse
also
: the papers showing that a ship has cleared
c
: the offsetting of checks and other claims among banks through a clearinghouse
d
: certification as clear of objection : authorization
security clearance
e
: a sale to clear out stock
f
: authorization for an aircraft to proceed especially with a specified action
clearance to land
2
: the distance by which one object clears another or the clear space between them
3
: the volume of blood or plasma that can be freed of a specified constituent in a specified time by its excretion into the urine through the kidneys
a creatine clearance of 25 milliliters per minute
called also renal clearance
Examples of clearance in a Sentence
She has a security clearance that allows her to see the classified information.
The pilot got clearance to land.
That flight has not received clearance for landing.
There was only 10 inches of clearance between the car and the side of the tunnel.
a bridge with a 100-foot clearance above the water
the clearance of forests for farming
slum clearance to make room for new housing
Recent Examples on the Web
Musk’s company Neuralink is also dependent upon FDA approval and clearances for its human trials of its brain-computer interface device.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 6 June 2025
The Trump Administration ordered VA doctors and scientists not to publish in journals without first seeking clearance from political appointees, the latest effort to restrict federal researchers’ publications.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Assess your ceiling height in open spaces like foyers or hallways, and measure the clearance between your table, kitchen island, countertops, and ceiling to determine the best dimensions for your fixture.
—Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
Even hiring for jobs requiring top secret clearances will be expedited, the plan said.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clearance
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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 6 June 2025
The Trump Administration ordered VA doctors and scientists not to publish in journals without first seeking clearance from political appointees, the latest effort to restrict federal researchers’ publications.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Assess your ceiling height in open spaces like foyers or hallways, and measure the clearance between your table, kitchen island, countertops, and ceiling to determine the best dimensions for your fixture.
—Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
Even hiring for jobs requiring top secret clearances will be expedited, the plan said.
—ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clearance
Cite this Entry
“Clearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clearance. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clearance
noun
clear·ance
ˈklir-ən(t)s
1
a
: an act or process of clearing
b
: the act of clearing a ship at the customhouse
c
: the papers showing that a ship has cleared
d
: authorization for an airplane to proceed
2
: a sale to clear out stock
3
: the distance by which one object keeps from hitting or touching another or the clear space between them
Medical Definition
clearance
noun
clear·ance
ˈklir-ən(t)s
: the volume of blood or plasma that could be freed of a specified constituent in a specified time (usually one minute) by excretion of the constituent into the urine through the kidneys
called also renal clearance
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