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
Homosexuality between consenting adults was legalized in Sweden in 1944, but it was classified as a mental illness until 1979.
—
Natasha Gural, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act legalized cannabidiol derived from hemp at the federal level.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
The State Legislature legalized executions by firing squad and electric chair in 2021, but it was blocked by a lower court the following year.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
The legislation, if passed by a majority of voters in an upcoming election, would allow only the Legislature to legalize certain drugs, including marijuana, narcotics and other psychoactive substances.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Natasha Gural, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act legalized cannabidiol derived from hemp at the federal level.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
The State Legislature legalized executions by firing squad and electric chair in 2021, but it was blocked by a lower court the following year.
—Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
The legislation, if passed by a majority of voters in an upcoming election, would allow only the Legislature to legalize certain drugs, including marijuana, narcotics and other psychoactive substances.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Articles Related to legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 24 Mar. 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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