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
Because she was not permitted on school grounds and not authorized to take the student off school property, she was charged with felony kidnapping.
—
Logan Smith, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
During a special legislative session, the governor was authorized to consolidate neighboring municipalities whose combined population reached at least 15,000, creating a first-class city.
—Elijah Winkler, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Cultural groups have also challenged whether the shutdown was authorized.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
It should be said that at no point has Congress either authorized this war or provided funding for ground operations.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Logan Smith, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
During a special legislative session, the governor was authorized to consolidate neighboring municipalities whose combined population reached at least 15,000, creating a first-class city.
—Elijah Winkler, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Cultural groups have also challenged whether the shutdown was authorized.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
It should be said that at no point has Congress either authorized this war or provided funding for ground operations.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 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 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
