legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Delaware legalized recreational marijuana and regulated and taxed sales of adult-use cannabis with the passage of two bills in 2023.
—
A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Other countries that have legalized assisted suicide include Australia, Belgium, Canada and parts of the United States, with regulations on who is eligible varying by jurisdiction.
—Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
The 2016 ballot law that legalized non-medical marijuana also included a provision that would allow adults to use it in licensed public places.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
On Tuesday, the council voted to legalize such homes in spaces throughout Boise in an attempt to improve housing affordability.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Other countries that have legalized assisted suicide include Australia, Belgium, Canada and parts of the United States, with regulations on who is eligible varying by jurisdiction.
—Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
The 2016 ballot law that legalized non-medical marijuana also included a provision that would allow adults to use it in licensed public places.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
On Tuesday, the council voted to legalize such homes in spaces throughout Boise in an attempt to improve housing affordability.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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