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 But a source with knowledge of PDD’s financial position, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to talk to the media, confirmed the numbers. Tracy Wen Liu, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023 He was authorized by the Shin Bet to speak publicly. Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023 In response, Biden has authorized three rounds of airstrikes, all in eastern Syria. Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2023 In some cases, rights holders won’t authorize streaming. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023 The panel contacted roughly 40 witnesses, reviewed more than 170,000 pages of documents, and authorized 37 subpoenas. Grace Ashford, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023 Editor’s picks Both Radcliffe and Holmes are executive producers of the doc, which subsequently feels extremely authorized. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023 That the jurisdiction of the Orphans’ Court touching free Negroes and mulattoes, as now exercised by law, shall be so extended as to authorize them to give the preference in apprenticing such Negroes and mulattoes, to their former masters. Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023 Additional information about this settlement involving Dude Wipes can be found on its website, which was authorized by the court. Jack Birle, Washington Examiner, 10 Nov. 2023 See More

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 2 Dec. 2023.

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
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