empower
verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 
empowered; empowering; empowers
1
: to give official authority or legal power to
empowered her attorney to act on her behalf
2
: enable sense 1a
… nootropic agents empower the lower amounts of acetylcholine in diseased brains to work overtime …—
Science News
Science News3
: to promote the self-actualization or influence of
The American women's movement has been inspiring and empowering women for nearly 20 years …—Ron Hansen
Ron HansenMembers of our discipline often envision themselves as agents of social change who try to promote critique of dominant ideologies and empower students to become active participants in the larger political world.—Christy Friend
Christy FriendExamples of empower in a Sentence
seeking changes in the workplace that will empower women
the federal agency empowered to collect taxes
Recent Examples on the Web
The arrangement empowers the co-investors to pick and choose their own individual deals, the great lure of directs in general.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
Repicturing Rural was designed as a guide for more accurate, elevated and timely portrayals of the various nuances of the rural American experience, empowering brands to use their influence over visual culture to spark material change.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
If anything, Doty seemed empowered by her work in a rowdy rock club, married to musician Chip Z’Nuff.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Banishing the rule would further empower the already dominant Republicans in Congress.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empower
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Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
Repicturing Rural was designed as a guide for more accurate, elevated and timely portrayals of the various nuances of the rural American experience, empowering brands to use their influence over visual culture to spark material change.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
If anything, Doty seemed empowered by her work in a rowdy rock club, married to musician Chip Z’Nuff.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Banishing the rule would further empower the already dominant Republicans in Congress.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for empower
Cite this Entry
“Empower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empower. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
empower
verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r
: to give official authority or legal power to
Legal Definition
empower
transitive verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇-ər
: to give official authority or legal power to
no branch of government should be empowered unilaterally to impose a serious penalty—L. H. Tribe
L. H. TribeLove words? Need even more definitions?
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