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
Roughly 2,000 SoFi Stadium workers overwhelmingly authorized a strike a week before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Los Angeles.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 June 2026
SoFi Stadium workers have voted to authorize a strike just a week before hosting the United States Men's National Soccer Team for the World Cup.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
In 1969, Allen sponsored legislation authorizing school districts and colleges to create early-childhood-development demonstration projects.
—Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
The House of Representatives again overrode Republican leaders to pass a bill that would authorize billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 June 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.
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 June 2026
SoFi Stadium workers have voted to authorize a strike just a week before hosting the United States Men's National Soccer Team for the World Cup.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
In 1969, Allen sponsored legislation authorizing school districts and colleges to create early-childhood-development demonstration projects.
—Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
The House of Representatives again overrode Republican leaders to pass a bill that would authorize billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 June 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 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
