authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 
authorized; authorizing; authorizes
1
: to endorse, empower, justify, or permit by or as if by some recognized or proper authority (such as custom, evidence, personal right, or regulating power)
a custom authorized by time
2
: to invest especially with legal authority : empower
He is authorized to act for his father.
3
archaic
: justify sense 1a
authorizer
noun
Examples of authorize in a Sentence
The city council authorized the sale of the land.
Who authorized the transfer of the funds?
Recent Examples on the Web
The official wasn't authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—
Farnoush Amiri, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
During the questioning, government prosecutor Jason Wu asked Noelcius if the warrant authorized anyone to kill the president, capture and take him out of the country or give foreigners the right to take it from the internet to execute it.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Iranian negotiators are not authorized to cross that boundary, and conceding on missiles would be viewed internally as equivalent to losing a war.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Benzinga The court ruled that IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs, grounding its reasoning in separation of powers.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Farnoush Amiri, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
During the questioning, government prosecutor Jason Wu asked Noelcius if the warrant authorized anyone to kill the president, capture and take him out of the country or give foreigners the right to take it from the internet to execute it.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Iranian negotiators are not authorized to cross that boundary, and conceding on missiles would be viewed internally as equivalent to losing a war.
—Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Benzinga The court ruled that IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs, grounding its reasoning in separation of powers.
—Benzinga, Freep.com, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give authority to
2
: to give legal or official approval to
authorization
noun
ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
authorizer
noun
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər
Legal Definition
authorize
transitive verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give permission to
2
: to give authority to act to
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