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
Synonyms
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
Every state on this list had authorized the use for medicinal purposes prior to full legalization.
—
Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
The Common Council authorized the body camera program last summer.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
On April 5th, the FISA court granted a government request authorizing the program until April 2025.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024
Young Farmers underscores the importance of the appropriations process, which is when program areas that are authorized in the farm bill are allocated funding.
—Eliza Milio, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
The strike was ordered by a general who wasn't authorized to do so, according to officials.
—Matt Gutman, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Biden made clear in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not participate in any offensive action against Iran, according to a senior administration official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private conversation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Zeke J Miller, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
Known as Section 702, the program authorizes the US government to collect the communications of foreigners overseas.
—Andy Greenberg Andrew Couts, WIRED, 13 Apr. 2024
But the program can continue operating until April 2025 because last week the FISA court granted a government request authorizing it for another year.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
The Common Council authorized the body camera program last summer.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
On April 5th, the FISA court granted a government request authorizing the program until April 2025.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024
Young Farmers underscores the importance of the appropriations process, which is when program areas that are authorized in the farm bill are allocated funding.
—Eliza Milio, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
The strike was ordered by a general who wasn't authorized to do so, according to officials.
—Matt Gutman, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Biden made clear in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not participate in any offensive action against Iran, according to a senior administration official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private conversation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
—Zeke J Miller, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
Known as Section 702, the program authorizes the US government to collect the communications of foreigners overseas.
—Andy Greenberg Andrew Couts, WIRED, 13 Apr. 2024
But the program can continue operating until April 2025 because last week the FISA court granted a government request authorizing it for another year.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'authorize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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