authorize

verb

au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 

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

Synonyms of authorize

• enable
• empower

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

On match days, all aircraft operations, including drones, are prohibited within a radius of 3 nautical miles and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around the stadiums unless specifically authorized by air traffic controllers. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 July 2026

To address this, Britain’s first Copyright Act of 1710 granted authors the exclusive right to authorize copies of their works for up to 28 years. — Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026

The decision closes the criminal investigation into an incident that prompted Monroe City Council last month to authorize an independent ethics investigation into Anderson’s conduct. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

Afterward, Fecher said the public employees retirement system's Investment and Finance Committee on June 23 authorized the system to seek lead plaintiff status in the class-action securities lawsuit against Sportradar. — Arkansas Online, 7 July 2026

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

Rhymes for authorize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• butterflies
• catalyze

Kids Definition

authorize

verb

au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 

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 

authorized; authorizing

1

: to give permission to

2

: to give authority to act to

authorization

ˌȯ-thə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun