authorize

verb

au·tho·rize | \ ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz

authorized; authorizing

Definition of authorize

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 sense 1a

Other Words from authorize Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about authorize

Keep scrolling for more

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

Teachers in Oakland, California, have authorized a strike starting Thursday. — John Raby, The Seattle Times, "Despite bill’s demise, W.Va. teachers to strike for 2nd day," 20 Feb. 2019 The law requires the President to activate his powers under one of 130 or so statutes that authorize executive emergency actions. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Trump’s Presidential Emergency," 10 Jan. 2019 In February 2015, then president Barack Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline, as The Washington Post reported. — Jameelah Nasheed, Teen Vogue, "Native American Tribes Are Suing the Trump Administration to Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline," 11 Sep. 2018 Trump also applauded the NFL’s new national anthem policy, which authorizes the NFL to punish teams whose players appear on the field before games and kneel during the anthem; teams under this policy can also punish kneeling players. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Why White House Rescinding Invitation to Eagles Could Boost Colin Kaepernick’s Collusion Case," 4 June 2018 The drone will also help detect any other unmanned vehicles in the air that aren’t authorized to fly, in addition to the cameras and police helicopters that usually keep watch. — Shannon Liao, The Verge, "New York City cops will fly a drone over the New Year’s Eve celebration at Times Square," 30 Dec. 2018 The Trump administration has authorized five such permits, which aim to find oil and gas formations deeply below the Atlantic Ocean floor, from Delaware to central Florida, an area where seismic surveys haven’t been conducted in decades. — Meg Kinnard, The Seattle Times, "Environmental groups to sue over offshore drilling tests," 10 Dec. 2018 According to the police chief's former top aide, Yanne Drouet, Benalla was only authorized in October 2017 to carry a weapon after failed previous requests. — Elaine Ganley, Fox News, "Macron's presidency hurt by ex-aide flaunting gun in photo," 25 Sep. 2018 Klarman, a hedge fund legend and Baupost’s chief executive officer, hasn’t authorized republication of the book in any form. — BostonGlobe.com, "SoftBank raises stake in Yahoo Japan in purchase from Altaba," 11 July 2018

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.