appoint

verb ap·point \ ə-ˈpȯint \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of appoint

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

The mayor, Plan Commission and the City Council appoint members to the board.

— chris sikich, Indianapolis Star, "Lawsuit: Brainard stacked the deck on Carmel mosque vote," 10 Apr. 2018
The teachers appointed an African-American teacher to lead the 15-car motorcade in hopes they would be spared from attacks.

— Chicago Tribune, "Rage, riots, ruin," 9 Apr. 2018
The board in November appointed Joe Jesse Sanchez, 70, who recently retired from running the Bexar County Juvenile Justice Academy, to fill the vacant District 9 seat.

— alia malik, San Antonio Express-News, "Four Alamo Colleges trustees face re-election challenges," 7 Apr. 2018
In his will, William appointed Louis VI of France as Eleanor’s guardian, asking the king to protect his lands and daughter until a suitable husband could be found.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Eleanor of Aquitaine," 4 Apr. 2018
Humane Society appoints new executive director Erica Sokol has been named the new executive director of the Naperville Area Humane Society.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest," 30 Mar. 2018
The Laurel Historical Society appointed a new executive director, Ann Bennett, who is set to begin her position on Sunday, April 1.

— mary schneidau sullivan, Laurel Leader, "Laurel Historical Society has new leadership [Old Town]," 29 Mar. 2018
The other bedrooms area also well appointed and get great light and could easily be turned into an office or studio if needed.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Charming ’50s home with contemporary upgrades wants $1.4M," 28 Mar. 2018
All three have court- appointed attorneys, though that could change.

— tresa baldas, Detroit Free Press, "The coke was fake, but the bust was real. Feds nab 3 men in $400K drug deal," 28 Mar. 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

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)