empower
verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 
empowered; empowering; empowers
1
: to give official authority or legal power to
empowered her attorney to act on her behalf
2
: enable sense 1a
… nootropic agents empower the lower amounts of acetylcholine in diseased brains to work overtime …—
Science News
Science News3
: to promote the self-actualization or influence of
The American women's movement has been inspiring and empowering women for nearly 20 years …—Ron Hansen
Ron HansenMembers of our discipline often envision themselves as agents of social change who try to promote critique of dominant ideologies and empower students to become active participants in the larger political world.—Christy Friend
Christy FriendExamples of empower in a Sentence
seeking changes in the workplace that will empower women
the federal agency empowered to collect taxes
Recent Examples on the Web
If confirmed as the nation’s doctor, Saphier would be empowered to issue advisories that warn of public health threats.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The Scorpio full moon empowers you to call an unhealthy ritual or routine quits!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 1 May 2026
During a hearing about the 2026 report, DDS Commissioner Jordan Scheff told lawmakers that he had been concerned about declining reports of abuse and neglect during COVID and that 2024’s high numbers reflect training and reporting systems that have empowered staff to file more reports.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Oakley believes that recording history empowers her community.
—Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for empower
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Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The Scorpio full moon empowers you to call an unhealthy ritual or routine quits!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 1 May 2026
During a hearing about the 2026 report, DDS Commissioner Jordan Scheff told lawmakers that he had been concerned about declining reports of abuse and neglect during COVID and that 2024’s high numbers reflect training and reporting systems that have empowered staff to file more reports.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Oakley believes that recording history empowers her community.
—Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for empower
Cite this Entry
“Empower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empower. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
empower
verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r
: to give official authority or legal power to
Legal Definition
empower
transitive verb
em·pow·er
im-ˈpau̇-ər
: to give official authority or legal power to
no branch of government should be empowered unilaterally to impose a serious penalty—L. H. Tribe
L. H. TribeLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
