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
No new information was shared, and comments were disabled, preventing anyone from asking questions, according to two CDC sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the meeting.
—
Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Nonetheless, Trump is authorized to deploy the National Guard and assume emergency control over the MPD under home rule, the form of limited self-governance that Congress granted D.C. under the Home Rule Act in 1973.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
Only physicians registered with the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) are authorized to prescribe low-THC cannabis.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2025
The Defense Department is keen to expand its satellite supplier base, and Apex’s performance has been impressive so far, a Space Force officer told Forbes on the condition of anonymity since he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Nonetheless, Trump is authorized to deploy the National Guard and assume emergency control over the MPD under home rule, the form of limited self-governance that Congress granted D.C. under the Home Rule Act in 1973.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
Only physicians registered with the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) are authorized to prescribe low-THC cannabis.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2025
The Defense Department is keen to expand its satellite supplier base, and Apex’s performance has been impressive so far, a Space Force officer told Forbes on the condition of anonymity since he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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 20 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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