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
Secure burn barrels: If burning is authorized in your vicinity, ensure that all burn barrels feature a weighted metal cover with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
The individual was not authorized to comment publicly.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
The process to get there was long and wasn’t without drama, given that just one month before, union members aligned with the Communications Workers of America overwhelmingly authorized a strike in a bid to push through some additional gains at a turbulent time in the video game industry.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for authorize
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Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
The individual was not authorized to comment publicly.
—Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
The process to get there was long and wasn’t without drama, given that just one month before, union members aligned with the Communications Workers of America overwhelmingly authorized a strike in a bid to push through some additional gains at a turbulent time in the video game industry.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 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 4 Jun. 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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