Admit

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ædˈmɪt/
• RP IPA: /É™dˈmɪt/
• Rhymes: -ɪt

Origin

From Middle English admitten, amitten, from Old French admettre, amettre ("to admit"), from Latin admittō ("to allow entrance, inlet", literally to send to), from ad- + mittere ("to send").

Full definition of admit

Verb

1. (transitive) To allow to enter; to grant entrance, whether into a place, or into the mind, or consideration; to receive; to take.A ticket admits one into a playhouse.They were admitted into his house.to admit a serious thought into the mindto admit evidence in the trial of a cause
2. (transitive) To allow (one) to enter on an office or to enjoy a privilege; to recognize as qualified for a franchise.to admit an attorney to practice lawthe prisoner was admitted to bail
3. (transitive) To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an allegation which it is impossible to deny; to own or confess.the argument or fact is admittedhe admitted his guiltshe admitted taking drugs
   she admitted to taking drugs
• 2011, Kitty Kelley, Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography (ISBN 1451674767):His sister, Patti, also admitted taking drugs, ...
4. (transitive) To be capable of; to permit. In this sense, "of" may be used after the verb, or may be omitted.the words do not admit such a construction.
• HolderFour bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.
5. (intransitive) To give warrant or allowance, to grant opportunity or permission (+ of).circumstance do not admit of thisthe text does not admit of this interpretation
6. (transitive) To allow to enter a hospital or similar facility for treatment.
• 2011, December 16, Denis Campbell, Hospital staff 'lack skills to cope with dementia patients', "This shocking report proves once again that we urgently need a radical shake-up of hospital care," said Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society. "Given that people with dementia occupy a quarter of hospital beds and that many leave in worse health than when they were admitted, it is unacceptable that training in dementia care is not the norm."

Usage notes

In the senses 3. and 4. this is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing). See

Synonyms

• (to allow entry to) inlet, let in
• (to recognise as true) acknowledge, own

Derived terms

• admittable
• admittance
• admittedly
• admitter
• admitting

Related terms

• admissible
• admission