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
After it was removed, the Cybertruck burst into flames again at a nearby tow yard, a person with knowledge of the incident not authorized to discuss it publicly told The Times.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
These centers are authorized by Congressional mandate to uphold Title 4 of the Civil Rights Act, while DEI policies, however laudable, are not.
—Raymond Pierce, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Search warrants, authorized by a Michigan state court, were executed in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti, according to a Thursday news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
The federal subsidy for semiconductor investment authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act that Micron is taking advantage of is not state-specific.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
These centers are authorized by Congressional mandate to uphold Title 4 of the Civil Rights Act, while DEI policies, however laudable, are not.
—Raymond Pierce, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Search warrants, authorized by a Michigan state court, were executed in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti, according to a Thursday news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
The federal subsidy for semiconductor investment authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act that Micron is taking advantage of is not state-specific.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 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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