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
Many rank-and-file legislators who voted in favor of the House and Senate bills to legalize skill games also received campaign checks from their manufacturers.
—
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Gambling was legalized there in 1931, and the rest is history as the city became known as a glittering hub for risqué shows and gambling of all sorts.
—Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
The Missouri House passed a bill that would legalize and regulate gaming machines.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Punishment for operating a poker club illegally Poker clubs have not been legalized by a constitutional amendment or statewide referendum but are generally allowed, according to Zack Fertitta, who helped represent Prime Social in getting its case dismissed.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Gambling was legalized there in 1931, and the rest is history as the city became known as a glittering hub for risqué shows and gambling of all sorts.
—Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
The Missouri House passed a bill that would legalize and regulate gaming machines.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Punishment for operating a poker club illegally Poker clubs have not been legalized by a constitutional amendment or statewide referendum but are generally allowed, according to Zack Fertitta, who helped represent Prime Social in getting its case dismissed.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 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 29 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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