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

Across the Twin Cities, federal immigration enforcement operations have turned businesses into sites of confrontation — with agents in store parking lots rounding up day laborers, armed raids on restaurants and work authorization inspections conducted in tactical gear. —Alessandro Piazza, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

Confusion over authorization documentation At question is whether the candidacy forms submitted at the secretary of state’s office — located in the Statehouse — could be challenged by a political opponent as having not been processed correctly. —Tom Davies, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026

Those expenditures included unapproved travel, meals, streaming subscriptions, and other charges that city officials said lacked clear authorization and oversight. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026

The judge said the validity of work authorization extends during the stay, along with protections from removal. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 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