appoint

verb

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 a beautifully appointed room

intransitive verb

: to exercise a power of appointment

Synonyms & Antonyms 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

But on December 1, Snipes rescinded her resignation after Republican Gov. Rick Scott suspended her without pay and appointed a replacement. — Jane Coaston, Vox, "Brenda Snipes says she won’t resign as Broward County election supervisor after all," 3 Dec. 2018 And in addition, appointing an employee representative to the Board to be able to make recommendations. — Shirin Ghaffary, Recode, "After 20,000 workers walked out, Google said it got the message. The workers disagree.," 21 Nov. 2018 Following through on appointing an independent chair tells regulators that Tesla’s board is serious about improving governance. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, "Tesla’s new chairwoman is walking into SEC and DOJ probes," 9 Nov. 2018 Judge Kavanaugh's nomination continues President Trump's track record of appointing excellent judges who will interpret the law as it is written ... — Jenny Hollander, Marie Claire, "Stacey Abrams on Why Survivors Don't Report—And Why We Must Believe Them Anyway," 25 Sep. 2018 The vote was put on hold late last month amid questions about the legality of four new ministers appointed during a cabinet shakeup. — Jacqueline Charles, miamiherald, "Haiti has put a fuel hike on hold. But is it enough to save the prime minister's job?," 7 July 2018 What our writers and editors have noticed is that since Donald Trump took office and appointed Zinke to lead the DOI, the country’s public lands have increasingly come under attack. — The Editors, Outside Online, "Yeah, ‘Outside’ Covers Politics," 7 July 2018 In cities with municipal utilities, in places ranging from small towns in the Midwest to large urban areas like Orlando, city councils often have direct authority over electricity contracts and appoint regulators. — Justin Worland/pueblo, Time, "How One Industrial City Is Fighting to Go Green," 12 July 2018 Martirano created a new position focused on security, appointing Thomas McNeal as director of security, emergency preparedness and response. — Jess Nocera, Howard County Times, "'Moving the needle' in county public schools: Superintendent's first academic year marked by challenges, rebuilding," 12 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.

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Last Updated

6 Dec 2018

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Time Traveler for appoint

The first known use of appoint was in the 14th century

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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