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

• allowance
• clearance
• concurrence
• consent
• granting
• green light
• leave
• license
• licence
• permission
• sanction
• sufferance
• warrant

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

At a press conference, Johnson said the War Powers Act of 1973, which limits presidential military action without congressional authorization, is unconstitutional. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

Frightened for her daughter’s life, Paulina’s mother did not sign the authorization. —Rebecca Grant june 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025

During the 1999 Kosovo crisis, President Bill Clinton launched a NATO bombing campaign against what was then Yugoslavia without congressional authorization. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 June 2025

Moreover, presidents have long had authority to respond, even without congressional authorization, to attacks on American forces and interests. —The Editors, National Review, 22 June 2025

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