A permit can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. It can refer to a document or license that grants permission to do something, such as a drivers permit, which allows an individual to drive under certain conditions, or a gun permit, which allows the holder to legally possess a firearm. In the context of hazardous work environments, a permit to work is a systematic process used to authorize controlled work in nonstandard, potentially hazardous conditions, ensuring the safety of workers and the environment.
In a broader sense, "to permit" means to consent to or allow something to happen. It can also mean to make something possible. For example, a judge may permit the release of a prisoner, or a new ramp may permit easier access to a highway.
In summary, a permit can be a written document granting permission, a process for authorizing controlled work in hazardous conditions, or the act of allowing or making something possible.