clearance

Universal Words noun 1 [C,U] the removal of things that are not wanted: There were forest clearances in Java thousands of years ago. * slum clearance (= the removal of houses that are in very bad condition in an area of a town) * Landscape gardeners have begun a clearance of the overgrown ground to make way for a new park. * a clearance sale (= in a shop / store, when goods are sold cheaply to get rid of them quickly) 2 [U,C] the amount of space or distance that is needed between two objects so that they do not touch each other: There is not much clearance for vehicles passing under this bridge. * a clearance of one metre 3 [U,C] official permission that is given to sb before they can work somewhere, have particular information, or do sth they want to do: I'm waiting for clearance from headquarters. * All employees at the submarine base require security clearance. 4 [U] official permission for a person or vehicle to enter or leave an airport or a country: The pilot was waiting for clearance for take-off. * How long will customs clearance take? 5 [U,C] the process of a cheque being paid by a bank: Clearance will take seven days. 6 [C] a clearance in football and some other sports is when a player kicks or hits the ball away from the goal of his or her own team