licensee

IPA/ˌlaɪsənˈsiː/
KK[lˌaɪsənsˈi]IPA/ˌlaɪsənˈsiː/

licensee — noun

  • licenseesingular
  • licenseesplural

1. someone who holds a government-issued license allowing them to sell alcoholic be

1.nounB2
Definition

someone who holds a government-issued license allowing them to sell alcoholic beverages in a commercial setting such as a restaurant, pub, or shop

Example

Evelyn applied for a liquor license so her restaurant could serve wine and beer.

applying for a liquor license

The city inspector checked whether every cocktail bar in the district had a listed licensee.

listed licensee — formal registered status

Common collocations
  • hold a license
  • named licensee
  • existing licensee
  • transfer the license
Synonyms
  • permit holder

    broader — refers to anyone holding any type of permit, not just alcohol licenses

  • licence holder

    functionally identical but more common in British English spelling

Antonyms
  • licensor

    the person or authority that grants the license to the licensee

Usage Note

Most common in the context of bars, pubs, and restaurants that sell alcohol. The named licensee is the person legally responsible for the premises and may be different from the owner.

Common Mistakes

The licensee granted the permit to the shop owner.
The licensor granted the permit to the licensee.
The licensee receives permission; the licensor (the government or authority) grants it.

2. an individual or company that enters a legal agreement giving them permission to

2.nounB2
Definition

an individual or company that enters a legal agreement giving them permission to make, sell, or use a patented product, trademarked design, or software program that belongs to another party

Example

Hyun's company became a licensee of a Japanese firm and produced their motors in Seoul.

company as licensee — commercial manufacturing

Under the deal, a Brazilian drug manufacturer became a licensee for the vaccine formula.

Common collocations
  • exclusive licensee
  • software licensee
  • licensee agreement
  • licensee company
Synonyms
  • franchisee

    more specific — refers to someone who runs a business under a larger brand's licensed system

  • authorised user

    broader and less formal, used for permission to access or use something

  • grantee

    formal legal term for the recipient of a grant or right

Antonyms
  • licensor

    the party that owns the intellectual property and grants permission to the licensee

Usage Note

Common in contracts and business negotiations involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, and software. The licensee has usage rights but does not own the intellectual property — those terms are defined in the licensing agreement with the licensor.

Common Mistakes

As a licensee, they owned the patent for the new device.
As a licensee, they had permission to use the patented device.
A licensee does not own the intellectual property; the licensor retains ownership.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Licensee, permit holder, and licence holder all refer to someone with legal permission for an activity, but context creates differences in usage. 'Licensee' is the formal legal term used in official documents and regulations — you will see it on government application forms and licensing board notices. 'Permit holder' emphasises the document itself and is more common for temporary or limited permissions, such as a street vendor permit or a one-event licence. 'Licence holder' is functionally identical to 'licensee' but slightly less formal and used predominantly in British English spelling. In the alcohol context, 'licensee' is the only term that has a strong, immediate association with pubs and bars — 'pub licensee' sounds natural and official, whereas 'pub permit holder' is not idiomatic. For example: 'The licensee must renew the alcohol licence annually' sounds authoritative, while 'The licence holder must renew the alcohol licence annually' is acceptable but less official.

licensee ↗permit holderlicence holder

Common collocations

Nouns

  • licensee agreement
  • licensee status

Phrases

  • as a licensee
  • the licensee shall

Prepositions

  • licensee of
  • licensee under

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Licensee is formed by adding the suffix '-ee' (from French '-é') to the noun 'license.' The suffix '-ee' indicates a person who is the recipient or object of an action — so a licensee is someone to whom a license is given. The word 'license' comes from Latin 'licentia,' meaning 'freedom, liberty,' which itself derives from 'licere' ('to be allowed, to be lawful'). The '-ee' suffix follows the same pattern as other legal/recipient words such as 'employee' (one who is employed) and 'payee' (one who is paid).