authorization

noun

au·​tho·​ri·​za·​tion ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the act of authorizing

2

: an instrument that authorizes : sanction

Synonyms of authorization

• permission
• consent
• granting

Examples of authorization in a Sentence

you will need the authorization of the council before you can act

his authorization to go ahead with the project was finally given

Recent Examples on the Web

The House held a rare overnight voting session in hopes of advancing legislation extending foreign surveillance authorizations. —Adam Beam, AJC.com, 17 Apr. 2026

However, businesses still need authorization from the California Department of Public Health to produce hemp products. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Batra told the agents that her work authorization was valid for another four years and that a New Jersey immigration judge had granted her temporary legal status years earlier. —Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

Looming over many lawmakers too is the approaching 60-day threshold for congressional authorization for military force outlined in the War Powers Act. —Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English auctorisation "legal validation of a document," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French auctorisacion "authorization," borrowed from Medieval Latin auctōrizātiōn-, auctōrizātiō "recognition as authoritative, authorization," from auctōrizāre "to authorize" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing authorization

• emergency use authorization
• pre-authorization

Rhymes for authorization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration