legalize

1 of 2

verb

le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 

legalized; legalizing

transitive verb

: to make legal

especially : to give legal validity or sanction to

legalization

ˌlē-gə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

legalizer

ˈlē-gə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

legalization

2 of 2

noun

le·​gal·​iza·​tion

variants also British legalisation

ˌlēgələ̇ˈzāshən -līˈz- sometimes ˌlig-

plural -s

: the act of legalizing : the state of being or having been legalized

the legalization of the employment of the navy in enforcing the laws of trade

—Edinburgh Review

legalization of a document to be submitted in evidence

Examples of legalize in a Sentence

Verb

They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.

The government has legalized the use of the new drug.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But when they are legalized, the evolutionary process here escalates rapidly. — Jack Meserve, Vox, 13 Nov. 2026

And while most bills in the Legislature require a majority vote, legalizing gaming would require a constitutional amendment — supported by a two-thirds’ vote from each legislative chamber to place it on the ballot. — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 12 Nov. 2026

Several bills to legalize marijuana and reform cannabis policies in Texas have been prefiled ahead of the 2027 legislative session. — Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2026

Hemp was legalized by the 2018 federal Farm Bill, with the intent to allow nonintoxicating products like CBD. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for legalize

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

Kids Definition

legalize

verb

le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 

legalized; legalizing

: to make legal

wanted to legalize gambling in their city

legalization

ˌlē-gə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

legalize

transitive verb

le·​gal·​ize ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 

legalized; legalizing

: to make legal

especially : to give legal validity or sanction to

legalization noun

legalizer noun