to discharge; to dismiss; to grant a license or leave
1. to dismiss or discharge someone from employment or military service
The company decided to discharge several employees due to restructuring.
A empresa decidiu licenciar vários funcionários devido à reestruturação.
2. to grant official permission or authorization (license) to operate or practice
The government licensed the new pharmaceutical company to manufacture vaccines.
O governo licenciou a nova empresa farmacêutica para fabricar vacinas.
3. to grant leave or permit someone time off
The military officer was granted leave for two weeks.
O oficial militar foi licenciado por duas semanas.
4. to graduate or earn a degree (in Portugal and Brazil academic context)
She graduated with a degree in engineering last year.
Ela se licenciou em engenharia no ano passado.
In Brazil, 'licenciar' is predominantly used in employment and legal contexts to mean firing or dismissing workers. In Portugal, the word carries a stronger academic meaning, referring to earning a university degree (licenciatura). The term also appears frequently in military and administrative contexts across Portuguese-speaking countries.
Related Idioms & Phrases
ser licenciado do serviço militar (to be discharged from military service)
licenciar-se em uma universidade (to graduate from a university)
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