- a signal to go, esp a green traffic light
- permission to proceed with a project
- (transitive) to permit (a project, etc) to proceed
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
green′ light′,
- Transporta green-colored traffic light used to signal drivers, pedestrians, etc., that they may proceed.
- authorization;
approval;
permission:The railroad has been given the green light on the proposed fare increase.
- Show Businessto give permission to proceed or authorization to (a project or person).
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
green light n greenlight ( -lights, -lighting, -lighted)
green-light
(grēn′līt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -light•ed or -lit, -light•ing.
- Show Businessto give permission to proceed;
authorize:The renovation project was green-lighted by the board of directors.
'green light' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):