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
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
The officials, who were familiar with the matter, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
—
Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
—Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
The latest: The City Council will vote tonight on whether to authorize the city manager to negotiate a lease with Kalahari.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Three out of the 20 port health stations now have no CDC staff and half have no officer in charge, according to a current CDC employee, who's not authorized to speak publicly.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
—Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
The latest: The City Council will vote tonight on whether to authorize the city manager to negotiate a lease with Kalahari.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Three out of the 20 port health stations now have no CDC staff and half have no officer in charge, according to a current CDC employee, who's not authorized to speak publicly.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 10 Mar. 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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