authorize

verb

au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz How to pronounce authorize (audio)
authorized; authorizing; authorizes

transitive verb

1
: to endorse, empower, justify, or permit by or as if by some recognized or proper authority (such as custom, evidence, personal right, or regulating power)
a custom authorized by time
2
: to invest especially with legal authority : empower
He is authorized to act for his father.
3
archaic : justify sense 1a
authorizer noun

Examples of authorize in a Sentence

The city council authorized the sale of the land. Who authorized the transfer of the funds?
Recent Examples on the Web That section bars the willful retention of national defense information by someone not authorized to have it. Perry Stein, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Quasi-government officials, often appointed by the courts, these notaries authorize wills, mortgage, and property transfers. Nina Siegal, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The education department already authorized schools to hire off-duty officers last fall, though the law does not yet explicitly allow it. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 Passed into law by the Texas legislature last year, SB4 authorizes Texas law enforcement at the state and local levels to arrest, jail and prosecute migrants on state charges of entering or reentering the U.S. outside of an official port of entry. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Among the points cited: Disney’s board has authorized $3 billion in stock repurchases in fiscal year 2024 and increased the cash dividend to shareholders to 45 cents/share payable in July (up 50% from the January dividend). Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 The law also authorizes in-person betting at future sportsbooks that would have to be located at or near certain large sports or automobile racing venues. Gary D. Robertson, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 The changes also loosen requirements for documenting suspect confrontations that lead to police use-of-force and authorize body camera footage to stand in for certain paperwork. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 When the opportunity arose, Albán, previously a farming cooperative member, turned Media Luna into the first private enterprise authorized in Ciego de Ávila. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authorize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English auctorisen, autorisen, borrowed from Anglo-French auctorizer, autorizer, borrowed from Medieval Latin auctōrizāre, auctōrisāre, from Latin auctōr-, auctor "originator, creator, authority" + Late Latin -izāre -ize — more at author entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of authorize was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near authorize

Cite this Entry

“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

authorize

verb
au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz How to pronounce authorize (audio)
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give authority to
2
: to give legal or official approval to
authorization
ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
noun
authorizer
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər
noun

Legal Definition

authorize

transitive verb
au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz How to pronounce authorize (audio)
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give permission to
2
: to give authority to act to
authorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on authorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!