legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Industry lobbyists are pushing right now in the legislature to legalize online casino gambling.
—
Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Since legalizing online gambling in 2021, the state requires betting platforms to be licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But what's happening to Iowa education in the three years since the state legalized Education Savings Accounts to pay for students to attend private schools has, indeed, been seismic.
—Mike Trautmann, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
That’s a question that should be top of mind in Massachusetts and other states that have legalized marijuana.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Since legalizing online gambling in 2021, the state requires betting platforms to be licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
—Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But what's happening to Iowa education in the three years since the state legalized Education Savings Accounts to pay for students to attend private schools has, indeed, been seismic.
—Mike Trautmann, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
That’s a question that should be top of mind in Massachusetts and other states that have legalized marijuana.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
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
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