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
As if that wasn’t enough, the president also authorized military action abroad.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
The Board authorized the Sheriff’s Office to purchase the equipment quickly, according to the county’s report.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025
The administration also has yet to provide any details about the appointment to Congress, according to a congressional aide who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
Animal cruelty database The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is authorized to put on its website the names of people who have been found guilty or have pleaded guilty or no contest to animal cruelty thanks to this new law.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
The Board authorized the Sheriff’s Office to purchase the equipment quickly, according to the county’s report.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025
The administration also has yet to provide any details about the appointment to Congress, according to a congressional aide who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025
Animal cruelty database The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is authorized to put on its website the names of people who have been found guilty or have pleaded guilty or no contest to animal cruelty thanks to this new law.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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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