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
Willingham returned from lunch, then went from his secluded office to the locked evidence room, which he was not authorized to enter, multiple sources with knowledge of the events told CNN.
—
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Last year, Congress authorized $45 billion in new funding for ICE detention, enough to pay for more than 135,000 detention beds through fiscal 2029, according to a report by the American Immigration Council.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
As of Friday evening, charges have been authorized against three of the five individuals.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Right now, enforcement agents are often using administrative warrants, or internal documents signed by immigration officers that authorize specific arrests but not searches.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Last year, Congress authorized $45 billion in new funding for ICE detention, enough to pay for more than 135,000 detention beds through fiscal 2029, according to a report by the American Immigration Council.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
As of Friday evening, charges have been authorized against three of the five individuals.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Right now, enforcement agents are often using administrative warrants, or internal documents signed by immigration officers that authorize specific arrests but not searches.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 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 10 Feb. 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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