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
In an unsigned one-sentence order, the Supreme Court left intact a ruling from Virginia's highest court that invalidated an amendment to the state constitution authorizing adoption of the new House district lines.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Hersheypark could face disruptions ahead of its busy summer season as union maintenance workers weigh whether to authorize a strike.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Leading the Mizzou sideline chain gang, Rich Montgomery was authorized to advance the down marker only at the signal of the linesman.
—Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
None of them, Subramanian's argument runs, address the question of who gets to authorize the transaction in the first place.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for authorize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Hersheypark could face disruptions ahead of its busy summer season as union maintenance workers weigh whether to authorize a strike.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Leading the Mizzou sideline chain gang, Rich Montgomery was authorized to advance the down marker only at the signal of the linesman.
—Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
None of them, Subramanian's argument runs, address the question of who gets to authorize the transaction in the first place.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 16 May 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 20 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
