authorize

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verb au·tho·rize \ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz\

Definition of authorize

authorized

;

authorizing

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 She is authorized to act for her husband.
3 archaic : justify 1a

authorizer

noun

See authorize defined for English-language learners

See authorize defined for kids

Examples of authorize in a Sentence

The city council authorized the sale of the land.
Who authorized the transfer of the funds?

Recent Examples of authorize from the Web

The person wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss private policy deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

— catherine lucey, The Seattle Times, "Top Trump aide exits as wider White House overhaul expected", 31 May 2017
All the while, cannabis storefronts flourished elsewhere in a state where medical marijuana was authorized in 1996.

— janie har and bob salsberg, chicagotribune.com, "Growing pot industry offers breaks to entice minorities", 31 May 2017
South Korea’s new president, Moon Jae In, is one of many critics who say Park should have sought parliamentary approval before authorizing the program.

— aria bendix, The Atlantic, "U.S. Conducts Successful Missile Defense Test", 30 May 2017
But the person with knowledge of the plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak for the campaign, said the announcement is scheduled for Wednesday in Baltimore.

— ovetta wiggins, Washington Post, "Former NAACP president Benjamin Jealous expected to announce run for Maryland governor this week", 29 May 2017
The committee decided on Sunday not to vote on a no-confidence motion in the president, according to the committee members, who asked not to be named because they aren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

— sam mkokeli, Bloomberg.com, "Zuma Said to Beat Bid to Oust Him as South African President", 28 May 2017
The council also approved authorizing the city manager to contract with TEA and Calpine to provide consulting services to the city on its Community Choice Aggregation energy program.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How they voted, May 28", 28 May 2017
Online public charter schools are not authorized to operate in Alabama.

— trisha powell crain, AL.com, "Online public schools raising questions in Alabama", 26 May 2017
The visits have plunged him into self-reflection, according to four current and former colleagues and people close to the chief executive who asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly.

— mike isaac, New York Times, "Mark Zuckerberg’s Great American Road Trip", 25 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'authorize'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of authorize

see ¹author

First Known Use: 14th century

AUTHORIZE Defined for English Language Learners

authorize

play

verb

Definition of authorize for English Language Learners

: to give power or permission to (someone or something)
: to give legal or official approval to or for (something)

AUTHORIZE Defined for Kids

authorize

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verb au·tho·rize \ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz\

Definition of authorize for Students

authorized

;

authorizing

1 : to give power to : give authority to Their guardian is authorized to act for them.
2 : to give legal or official approval to Who authorized the closing of school?