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
Two weeks later, a special session of the legislature voted to authorize $390 million in bonds for UConn to purchase Waterbury, Bristol, and Day Kimball hospitals.
—
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Most states had been authorizing marijuana for medical use even before the rescheduling, and nearly half of all states also say recreational use is OK.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 9 May 2026
His wife carries a handwritten cheat sheet of which authorized-user card to use for which purchase category, updated every three months.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
Most states had been authorizing marijuana for medical use even before the rescheduling, and nearly half of all states also say recreational use is OK.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 9 May 2026
His wife carries a handwritten cheat sheet of which authorized-user card to use for which purchase category, updated every three months.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The official was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 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 11 May. 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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