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
The Lottery Commission voted Tuesday to authorize regulatory amendments that Executive Director Mark William Bracken said would set rules and regulations for iLottery games.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
In recent days, Senate supporters have whittled down the scope of the plan, authorizing it only for Cook County and Chicago sites rather than statewide as Pritzker originally intended.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
What to do if identity fraud appears A financial power of attorney signed in advance authorizes an adult child to handle bills, disputes and account changes on a parent's behalf.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Judge Cooper also stated that the highly prestigious Board of the Center was not authorized to add on the name ‘TRUMP’ despite the fact that hundreds of millions of dollars of my time and money will be necessary for its successful reincarnation.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
In recent days, Senate supporters have whittled down the scope of the plan, authorizing it only for Cook County and Chicago sites rather than statewide as Pritzker originally intended.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
What to do if identity fraud appears A financial power of attorney signed in advance authorizes an adult child to handle bills, disputes and account changes on a parent's behalf.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
Judge Cooper also stated that the highly prestigious Board of the Center was not authorized to add on the name ‘TRUMP’ despite the fact that hundreds of millions of dollars of my time and money will be necessary for its successful reincarnation.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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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