1The grant by the owner of intangible or intellectual property, such as a trademark or software program, of the rights to make certain uses of the property. 2 A permission granted by government to perform an act or service regulated by law (for example, a license to fish or to practice law). 3 A right to enter onto land or property and use it, without any ownership rights being conferred. bare license. A license under which no property is exchanged, and the licensee receives the right to not ...