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
The individual permit, which requires a $25 fee per shipment, is valid for a range of dates authorized once issued.
—
Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Instead of releasing Guevara, the Board of Immigration Appeals reopened Guevara’s 13-year-old immigration case, which had been closed and authorized him to work in the US.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
One major issue is whether or not to extend healthcare premium subsidies that were authorized in 2021.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Trump secretly authorized military force against drug cartels in early August.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Instead of releasing Guevara, the Board of Immigration Appeals reopened Guevara’s 13-year-old immigration case, which had been closed and authorized him to work in the US.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
One major issue is whether or not to extend healthcare premium subsidies that were authorized in 2021.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Trump secretly authorized military force against drug cartels in early August.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 3 Oct. 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 7 Oct. 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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