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 The agency this week authorized the Healgen Scientific's Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test for home use without a prescription. Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 10 Oct. 2024 That bill, co-sponsored by Democrats Ron Wyden (Oregon), Amy Klobuchar (Minnesota), and Michael Bennet (Colorado), would authorize up to $290 million per year for grasslands-conservation grants. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2024 Once re-elected, Johnson felt no such restraint, quickly authorizing a sustained bombing campaign in February 1965 at a pace that surprised even the administration’s more hawkish voices. Jeffrey A. Friedman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2024 That includes enacting new maritime patrol regulations earlier this year authorizing the detention of foreign ships and individuals law enforcement suspect of illegally entering what China considers to be its territorial waters. Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen and Philip J. Heijmans / Bloomberg, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for authorize 

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 14 Oct. 2024.

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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