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

League sources in this story spoke on a condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the subject publicly. — Law Murray, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The number killed by wildlife officials and authorized property owners in New Mexico is already up to 187, the most since 2011. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

If union members authorize a strike, SEIU Local 1000 would still have to follow the applicable legal process through the Public Employment Relations Board before a strike could move forward. — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

The state Bond Commission on Tuesday is expected to authorize another $5 million for the Time to Own program that state officials report has helped nearly 9,600 first-time Connecticut homebuyers over the past four years. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 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