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
Those products are technically legal at the federal level, though when Maryland legalized recreational cannabis on July 1, 2023, state lawmakers attempted to shut down the unregulated industry by requiring stores that sell such products to be licensed.
—
Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025
Getty Images Steele's bill would allow Pennsylvania's Game Commission to legalize hunting on Sundays of its choosing, while outlining new regulations related to hunting, such as trespassing penalties.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Lawmakers in Hawaii are shifting focus to refining the state’s medical cannabis system, after efforts to legalize adult-use stalled.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The city is about to legalize selling these backyard homes, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), creating unprecedented opportunity.
—Saad Asad, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025
Getty Images Steele's bill would allow Pennsylvania's Game Commission to legalize hunting on Sundays of its choosing, while outlining new regulations related to hunting, such as trespassing penalties.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Lawmakers in Hawaii are shifting focus to refining the state’s medical cannabis system, after efforts to legalize adult-use stalled.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The city is about to legalize selling these backyard homes, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), creating unprecedented opportunity.
—Saad Asad, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 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 27 Jun. 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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