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
This could explain why the Dodgers are taking their time with Ohtani, who isn’t expected to pitch until after the All-Star break, according to a person familiar with the team’s thinking but not authorized to speak publicly.
—
Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
The company also authorized a $2 billion share repurchase program.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 7 May 2025
FedRAMP is a compliance program used by the federal government to assess cloud products; unless authorized through this program, a service cannot hold federal data.
—Zoë Schiffer, Wired News, 7 May 2025
The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans, but the news comes days after reports that Trump was eyeing the North African nation — as well as other African countries including Benin, Angola and Eswatini — as places to send deportees.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025
The company also authorized a $2 billion share repurchase program.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 7 May 2025
FedRAMP is a compliance program used by the federal government to assess cloud products; unless authorized through this program, a service cannot hold federal data.
—Zoë Schiffer, Wired News, 7 May 2025
The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the plans, but the news comes days after reports that Trump was eyeing the North African nation — as well as other African countries including Benin, Angola and Eswatini — as places to send deportees.
—Kate Bartlett, NPR, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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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