authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 
authorized; authorizing; authorizes
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
Significantly, the legislation would authorize Texas courts to not follow agencies’ interpretation of the law in legal challenges of regulations, even when state law is ambiguous.
—
Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The board previously authorized a maximum contract amount of roughly $1.1 million with RedStone in March.
—Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2025
The law established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for overdue maintenance needs and authorized funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, per the Department of the Interior.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
His license, issued by the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board, did not authorize him to carry a firearm.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The board previously authorized a maximum contract amount of roughly $1.1 million with RedStone in March.
—Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2025
The law established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for overdue maintenance needs and authorized funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, per the Department of the Interior.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
His license, issued by the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board, did not authorize him to carry a firearm.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
authorizer
noun
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər
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
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