legalize

verb

le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz How to pronounce legalize (audio)
legalized; legalizing

transitive verb

: to make legal
especially : to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization noun
legalizer noun

Examples of legalize in a Sentence

They wanted to legalize gambling in their city. The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
And in Massachusetts, where medical and recreational marijuana is already legal, voters will be weighing in on the possibility of legalizing psychedelics. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024 The bill faced strong pushback from Republicans in the state Legislature, with some opponents using it to falsely claim that California was legalizing pedophilia. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 So far, 38 states have legalized medical marijuana, while 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis. A.j. Herrington, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 There has been a wave of distillery satellite tasting rooms since the Kentucky legislature passed a law in 2022 legalizing them, as well as the sale of bottles at gift shops. Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for legalize 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legalize was circa 1652

Dictionary Entries Near legalize

Cite this Entry

“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

legalize

verb
le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz How to pronounce legalize (audio)
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
legalization noun

Legal Definition

legalize

transitive verb
le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz How to pronounce legalize (audio)
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially : to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization noun
legalizer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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