authorize

verb

au·​tho·​rize ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 

authorized; authorizing; authorizes

transitive verb

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

Synonyms of authorize

• enable
• empower

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

Trump called Jones last month and urged him to meet with Jackson, who defeated Jones in a GOP primary in June, according to three people with direct knowledge of the conversation who aren’t authorized to speak publicly about the exchange. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce received another platelet-rich plasma injection in his left ankle, according to a source with knowledge of the matter who spoke anonymously Monday because they were not authorized to speak publicly. — James Boyd, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

The proposal would give the EU the power to ban imports with traces of pesticides that aren’t authorized in the bloc. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Following a 2025 vote by the French parliament to authorize its repatriation, the Djidji Ayôkwé was handed over to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in a ceremony at the Musée Quai Branly in February. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English auctorisen, autorisen, borrowed from Anglo-French auctorizer, autorizer, borrowed from Medieval Latin auctōrizāre, auctōrisāre, from Latin auctōr-, auctor "originator, creator, authority" + Late Latin -izāre -ize — more at author entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for authorize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• butterflies
• catalyze

Kids 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

ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən

noun

authorizer

ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər

noun

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

authorization

ˌȯ-thə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun