appoint

verb ap·point \ ə-ˈpȯint \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

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Examples: appoint in a Sentence

Definition of appoint

appointed; appointing; appoints

transitive verb

1 a : 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

a beautifully appointed room

intransitive verb

: to exercise a power of appointment

See appoint defined for English-language learners

See appoint defined for kids

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 of appoint from the Web

Schnatter was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Gov. Matt Bevin but has long been a fixture at, and financial backer of, the university.

— jen kirby, Vox, "Papa John’s founder resigns as chairman after using a racial slur on a call," 12 July 2018
In 2013, reform-minded Superintendent Lewis Ferebee was appointed, and Stand for Children endorsed and financially supported additional candidates in 2014 and 2016, ensuring a pro-reform board majority to support Ferebee and The Mind Trust’s agenda.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "What’s really going on in Indiana’s public schools," 12 July 2018
Chief Justice Warren Burger, who delivered the opinion, had been appointed by Nixon in 1969 and was considered a conservative.

— dan rodricks, baltimoresun.com, "Is Kavanaugh Trump's 'Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card'?," 10 July 2018
Kavanaugh was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in May 2006.

— aimee ortiz, BostonGlobe.com, "Five points of interest about Judge Brett Kavanaugh," 10 July 2018
By this time next month, two of Phoenix's council members will be gone, at least one new council member will be appointed to the governing body and the election for a new mayor of the nation's fifth largest city will be in full swing.

— jessica boehm, azcentral, "Phoenix City Hall shake-up: What happens when Valenzuela, Gallego resign?," 10 July 2018
Both Justice Kennedy and Justice Scalia were appointed by a President who understood that the best defense of our liberty and a judicial branch immune from political prejudice where judges that apply the Constitution as written.

— brian bennett, Time, "How President Trump’s Supreme Court Pick Could Change the U.S.," 10 July 2018
Ravinia note: Christine Taylor Conda, Ravinia’s director of its Reach Teach Play education programs, has been appointed chair of the El Sistema USA board of directors for a one-year term.

— howard reich, chicagotribune.com, "CSO at Ravinia review: Marin Alsop poetically launches Bernstein tribute," 13 July 2018
Boards of directors Mary Palmer, president of Mary Palmer and Associates LLC, was appointed president of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra board of directors.

— orlando sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "People on the move 07/16," 13 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of appoint

Middle English, from Anglo-French appointer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + point point

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

appoint Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

credenza, mission, settee

APPOINT Defined for English Language Learners

appoint

verb

Definition of appoint for English Language Learners

: 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)