legalize

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

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

Holscher, in a video outside of a dispensary in Kansas City, made a case for legalizing marijuana for an additional source of revenue for the state, building up the local cannabis industry and for personal freedom. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

They’ve so far been legalized in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa counties, but not in San Francisco. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Licensed cannabis operators in states that have legalized marijuana tend to support the ban—they’re unhappy that hemp intoxicants face far less regulation and taxation than their products. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

In the 1860s, Brazil and Cuba both had legalized slavery, and slavery was practiced throughout West Africa in more or less formal or informal forms as well. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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