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
Closing 2018 Farm Bill Hemp Loophole The 2018 Farm Bill, passed during President Donald Trump’s first term, legalized hemp containing up to 0.3% THC nationwide for industrial purposes.
—
Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
In addition to South Carolina, four states have legalized firing squads as an execution method: Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Recreational marijuana has been legalized across nearly half the U.S., with efforts currently underway in other states.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025
Michigan legalized the sale of fireworks over a decade ago.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
In addition to South Carolina, four states have legalized firing squads as an execution method: Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Recreational marijuana has been legalized across nearly half the U.S., with efforts currently underway in other states.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025
Michigan legalized the sale of fireworks over a decade ago.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 4 July 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 16 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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