empowerment

noun

em·​pow·​er·​ment im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r-mənt 

plural empowerments

1

: the act or action of empowering someone or something : the granting of the power, right, or authority to perform various acts or duties

Malcolm X, the eloquent spokesman for black empowerment who, in 1965, was gunned down at the age of 39 in New York city, continues to influence the political, social, and cultural climate of our society.

—Joe Wood

Therefore, part of the cure for poverty was empowerment—training the residents of a poor neighborhood to organize themselves and learn to get things from the power structure.

—Nicholas Lemann

2

: the state of being empowered to do something : the power, right, or authority to do something

Education does not automatically result in women's empowerment, as the social and economic context in which women live can pose overwhelming constraints on their choices.

—Erin Murphy-Graham

The focus on getting a candidate elected is a way for voters wary of broken promises to gain a sense of empowerment.

—John Dutton

Amid the uproar, he and his fellow students felt a budding—and maybe false—sense of empowerment.

—James Graff

Like John Lennon, he brought the idea that through music, empowerment and words, you can really come up with world peace.

—Wyclef Jean

Synonyms

• accreditation
• authorization
• commission
• delegation
• license
• licence
• mandate

Examples of empowerment in a Sentence

the empowerment of her husband to make medical decisions on her behalf is clearly stated in her living will

Recent Examples on the Web

Prioritize Empowerment And Ownership Attracting and keeping a great sales leader starts with empowerment; give them ownership, trust and a voice in strategy. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Trousdale’s songs adroitly address female empowerment, loss, heartbreak, anxiety, mental health and other subjects while striking a winning balance between melancholia and buoyancy. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025

The ad celebrates resilience and defiance, aligning with Nike’s ethos of empowerment. —Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025

In stepping into a new leadership role, Plum sets the tone with fierce competitiveness, pushing younger teammates through example and empowerment. —Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for empowerment

• disempowerment