appoint

verb

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ap·point | \ ə-ˈpȯint

appointed; appointing; appoints

Definition of appoint

transitive verb

1a : to fix or set officially appoint a trial date

b : to name officially will appoint her director of the program

c archaic : arrange

d law : to determine the disposition of (an estate) to someone by virtue of a power of appointment

2 : to provide with complete and usually appropriate or elegant furnishings or equipment … appointed the rooms with a curated selection of art and furniture … — Chron.com a beautifully appointed room

intransitive verb

: to exercise a power of appointment

Other Words from appoint Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about appoint

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Choose the Right Synonym for appoint

furnish, equip, outfit, appoint, accoutre mean to supply one with what is needed. furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function. a sparsely furnished apartment equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use. a fully equipped kitchen outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special occupation. outfitted the family for a ski trip appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings. a lavishly appointed apartment accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity. fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

Examples of appoint in a Sentence

She was appointed professor of chemistry at the university. After his parents died, the boy's uncle was appointed as his guardian. Every year, the group appoints three new members. a committee appointed by Congress the company's newly appointed assistant director

Recent Examples on the Web The court will quickly appoint one mediator to facilitate discussions. — USA TODAY, "Jornada del Muerto, Livestrong rebrand, Mach 8 tunnel: News from around our 50 states," 12 Feb. 2020 During his tenure as president, Trump has appointed four of the current five members, including Powell. — NBC News, "What happens to Fed Chair Jerome Powell if Trump gets re-elected?," 11 Feb. 2020 Cook County Judge Michael Toomin in August appointed Webb, a former US attorney, as a special prosecutor to look into why the charges were dropped. — BostonGlobe.com, "Actor Jussie Smollett faces new charges," 11 Feb. 2020 Last August, a Cook County judge appointed Dan Webb, a former federal prosecutor, as a special prosecutor in the Smollett case, the station reports. — Erin Donaghue, CBS News, "Jussie Smollett indicted on new charges related to alleged hate crime hoax," 11 Feb. 2020 Cook County Judge Michael Toomin in August appointed Webb, a former U.S. attorney, as a special prosecutor to look into why the charges were dropped. — Time, "Actor Jussie Smollett Faces Six New Charges of Lying to Chicago Police," 11 Feb. 2020 Finally, Live Nation is appointing Ted Heinig to president of Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Asheville, U.S. Concerts. — Dave Brooks, Billboard, "Kurt Melien, Sid Greenfeig, Michael Belkin & Ted Heinig Elevated to Top Spots at Regional Live Nation Offices," 11 Feb. 2020 What happens next The House Speaker will appoint a seven-member committee to investigate Gentry's conduct. — Julia Fair, Cincinnati.com, "Judge Dawn Gentry: Kentucky lawmakers move ahead with possible impeachment of NKY family court judge," 7 Feb. 2020 Britain has appointed Karen Pierce as its new ambassador to the United States, replacing a veteran diplomat whose unvarnished portrayal of the Trump administration led to an embarrassing transatlantic spat. — Washington Post, "World Digest: Feb. 7, 2020," 7 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'appoint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

15 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Appoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appoint. Accessed 25 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for appoint

appoint

verb

English Language Learners Definition of appoint

: to choose (someone) to have a particular job : to give (someone) a position or duty

: to decide or establish (something) in an official way

: to decide (the time or place at which something will happen or be done)

See the full definition for appoint in the English Language Learners Dictionary

appoint

verb

ap·point | \ ə-ˈpȯint

appointed; appointing

Kids Definition of appoint

1 : to choose for some duty, job, or office The school board appointed three new teachers.

2 : to decide on usually from a position of authority The teacher appointed a time for our meeting.

appoint

transitive verb

ap·point | \ ə-ˈpȯint

Legal Definition of appoint

1 : to name officially to a position appointed to the agency's top post appointed conservator of the estate

2 : to determine the distribution of (property) by exercising the authority granted by a power of appointment a general power to appoint the corpus of a trust— W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

intransitive verb

: to exercise a power of appointment — see also power of appointment