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
On Sunday, President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration authorizing federal disaster aid and activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
—
Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
Lopez told Murray on Wednesday that he's no longer authorized to sell Infowars' assets and vacated the September order that detailed the terms of the auction.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 5 July 2025
This authorizes Congress to create rules that shape how the executive branch works.
—Steve Woolpert, Mercury News, 4 July 2025
The hotline was authorized by the state Legislature in 2024 via Senate Bill 5427 sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle.
—Tj Martinell, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025
Lopez told Murray on Wednesday that he's no longer authorized to sell Infowars' assets and vacated the September order that detailed the terms of the auction.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 5 July 2025
This authorizes Congress to create rules that shape how the executive branch works.
—Steve Woolpert, Mercury News, 4 July 2025
The hotline was authorized by the state Legislature in 2024 via Senate Bill 5427 sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle.
—Tj Martinell, The Washington Examiner, 3 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 10 Jul. 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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