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
Condominiums could ‘invest’ reserves Bradley’s bill also would authorize creation of investment boards consisting of at least two governing condo board members and two unit owners.
—
Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
Instead, Congress now routinely authorizes spending extensions for the fiscal year, using the previous year’s specific amounts if new spending isn’t agreed to.
—Richard McGahey, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
General licenses make it so that transactions are authorized that otherwise would not be.
—Juwayriah Wright, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Zoom out: Firing squad executions are extremely rare in the U.S. Only five states — Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, South Carolina, Idaho — authorize the method, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
Instead, Congress now routinely authorizes spending extensions for the fiscal year, using the previous year’s specific amounts if new spending isn’t agreed to.
—Richard McGahey, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
General licenses make it so that transactions are authorized that otherwise would not be.
—Juwayriah Wright, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Zoom out: Firing squad executions are extremely rare in the U.S. Only five states — Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, South Carolina, Idaho — authorize the method, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 7 Mar. 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 12 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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