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

In 2013, the state legalized crossbow hunting statewide, and in 2015, the state permitted hunting on Sundays. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Las Vegas Sands also has invested heavily for many years to get casino gambling legalized in Texas. — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

While no other states considered measures to legalize drugs like marijuana or psychedelics, Idaho voters preserved their right to do so in the future. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 5 Nov. 2026

The proposal, called Amendment 3, would have struck down a historic 2024 vote that legalized access. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 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