authorize

1 of 2

verb

au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 

authorized; authorizing; authorizes

transitive verb

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

authorizer

2 of 2

noun

au·​tho·​riz·​er

ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər

plural -s

1

: one that authorizes

2

: a clerk who verifies the credit standing of customers and approves or disapproves charges against their accounts

Synonyms of authorize

Verb

• enable
• empower

Examples of authorize in a Sentence

Verb

The city council authorized the sale of the land.

Who authorized the transfer of the funds?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

What new sales tax revenue will pay for The state legislation that authorized the sales tax referendum laid out how the influx of new revenue can be spent. — Mary Ramsey updated June 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026

The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word 'regulate' to authorize taxation. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Polis also authorized the state’s National Guard to support response efforts. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 June 2026

Typically, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased are the primary individuals authorized to seek compensation. — William Jones, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English auctorisen, autorisen, borrowed from Anglo-French auctorizer, autorizer, borrowed from Medieval Latin auctōrizāre, auctōrisāre, from Latin auctōr-, auctor "originator, creator, authority" + Late Latin -izāre -ize — more at author entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

circa 1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for authorize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• butterflies
• catalyze

Kids 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

ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən

noun

authorizer

ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər

noun

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

authorization

ˌȯ-thə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun