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

Researchers at the New York Fed blamed legalized sports betting for rising consumer-loan delinquencies. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 23 July 2026

Senate Democrats have reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to federally legalize marijuana. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Two dozen states have legalized marijuana for use by adults age 21 and older, while 41 states have enacted comprehensive medical cannabis legalization policies. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Their widespread availability is thanks to a loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized products derived from hemp — a type of cannabis plant used in agricultural products like textiles and oils. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 21 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