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

• accredit
• certify
• charter [British]
• commission
• empower
• enable
• invest
• license
• licence
• qualify
• vest
• warrant

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

Impenetrable custody, for example, eliminates all digital input to the storage environment while still enabling institutions to seamlessly create and authorize transactions without ever exposing the private key. —Lior Lamesh, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Third, many injunctions are aimed at agencies under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which arguably authorizes nationwide injunctions against agency action. —The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025

Legal experts also question whether Trump can authorize this activity. —ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025

Osceola County Commissioners recently authorized tax-exempt bonds totaling $154 million for the two new projects. —Laura Kinsler, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 May 2025

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
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• butterflies

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