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
Representing more than 18,000 Costco workers, the union says 85% of its members voted to authorize the strike.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Their current collective-bargaining contract expires at the end of Friday, and the union members have voted to authorize a strike if negotiations fail.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
Trump administration offers federal workers payouts for resignations in move mirroring Elon Musk's memo at Twitter
Employment lawyers questioned whether such an offer was lawful because Congress, not the White House, is responsible for authorizing workers' paychecks.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2025
DeSantis previously authorized highway patrol troopers to support immigration enforcement initiatives at the southern border in Texas.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authorize 
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Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
Their current collective-bargaining contract expires at the end of Friday, and the union members have voted to authorize a strike if negotiations fail.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
Trump administration offers federal workers payouts for resignations in move mirroring Elon Musk's memo at Twitter
Employment lawyers questioned whether such an offer was lawful because Congress, not the White House, is responsible for authorizing workers' paychecks.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2025
DeSantis previously authorized highway patrol troopers to support immigration enforcement initiatives at the southern border in Texas.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for authorize
Dictionary Entries Near authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 4 Feb. 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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