authorize

1 of 2

verb

au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 

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

authorizer

2 of 2

noun

au·​tho·​riz·​er

ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər

plural -s

1

: one that authorizes

2

: a clerk who verifies the credit standing of customers and approves or disapproves charges against their accounts

Synonyms of authorize

Verb

• enable
• empower

Examples of authorize in a Sentence

Verb

The city council authorized the sale of the land.

Who authorized the transfer of the funds?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Two Jets front-office sources, on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly, deny that, and Glenn has owned the decisions publicly. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

After rigorous vetting, companies accepted into the Program will be authorized to conduct two types of cyber operations under the contract and direction of the Departments of Justice or Homeland Security. — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Last month, federal officials denied Arkansas' request to extend its waiver authorizing the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me program, or ARHOME, through 2031. — Nathan Ansell, Arkansas Online, 18 Aug. 2026

Government bodies can place authorized advisory questions on the ballot through a vote. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

circa 1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for authorize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• butterflies
• catalyze

Kids 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

ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən

noun

authorizer

ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər

noun

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

authorization

ˌȯ-thə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun