legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
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
In the 2005 measure, the previous largest such instance, 576,500 immigrants had their status legalized.
—
Suman Naishadham,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Research suggests that policies legalizing bodily surveillance are not a positive influence for any child in youth sports.
—
Megan Gandy,
The Conversation,
1 July 2026
In 1973, matatus were legalized, and their numbers in Nairobi, the capital, quickly grew.
—
Diego Menjíbar Reynés,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 July 2026
German courts are clarifying a gray area left by the cannabis reform that entered into effect in 2024, which legalized personal use, cultivation, and associations, but left questions over the legal status of cannabis cuttings.
—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Suman Naishadham,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Research suggests that policies legalizing bodily surveillance are not a positive influence for any child in youth sports.
—
Megan Gandy,
The Conversation,
1 July 2026
In 1973, matatus were legalized, and their numbers in Nairobi, the capital, quickly grew.
—
Diego Menjíbar Reynés,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 July 2026
German courts are clarifying a gray area left by the cannabis reform that entered into effect in 2024, which legalized personal use, cultivation, and associations, but left questions over the legal status of cannabis cuttings.
—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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