authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 
authorized; authorizing; authorizes
1
: to endorse, empower, justify, or permit by or as if by some recognized or proper authority (such as custom, evidence, personal right, or regulating power)
a custom authorized by time
2
: to invest especially with legal authority : empower
He is authorized to act for his father.
3
archaic
: justify sense 1a
authorizer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of authorize in a Sentence
The city council authorized the sale of the land.
Who authorized the transfer of the funds?
Recent Examples on the Web
Rapid firings and hirings across agencies may create uncertainty about who is authorized to access key systems.
—
Sam Sabin, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
There’s a difference, for instance, between an administrative warrant, which does not legally authorize officers to search school grounds, and a criminal warrant or judicial order, which may serve exactly that purpose.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2025
On Monday, the club brought back former general manager Farhan Zaidi in a special advisor role, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to try to eliminate birthright citizenship for those whose parents are not authorized to be in the country.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authorize 
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Sam Sabin, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
There’s a difference, for instance, between an administrative warrant, which does not legally authorize officers to search school grounds, and a criminal warrant or judicial order, which may serve exactly that purpose.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2025
On Monday, the club brought back former general manager Farhan Zaidi in a special advisor role, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to try to eliminate birthright citizenship for those whose parents are not authorized to be in the country.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authorize
Dictionary Entries Near authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give authority to
2
: to give legal or official approval to
authorization
noun
ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
authorizer
noun
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər
Legal Definition
authorize
transitive verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give permission to
2
: to give authority to act to
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