authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz 
authorized; authorizing; authorizes
1
: to endorse, empower, justify, or permit by or as if by some recognized or proper authority (such as custom, evidence, personal right, or regulating power)
a custom authorized by time
2
: to invest especially with legal authority : empower
He is authorized to act for his father.
3
archaic
: justify sense 1a
authorizer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of authorize in a Sentence
The city council authorized the sale of the land.
Who authorized the transfer of the funds?
Recent Examples on the Web
To that end, the Dodgers made a major move Tuesday night, agreeing to a five-year, $182-million contract with two-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher Blake Snell pending a physical, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
On November 25, 2024, DICK'S Sporting Goods Board of Directors authorized and declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $1.10 per share on the Company's common stock and Class B common stock.
—Dividend Channel, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The Legislature authorized some financial support for the tribe and required the state to provide it with about 4,000 acres of public land, but the promises were never kept.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Nov. 2024
The press statement does not note Ukraine's first attack using ATACMS missiles on November 19, which struck a Russian munitions depot in Bryansk Oblast shortly after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons to conduct deep-strikes into Russian territory.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authorize 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
On November 25, 2024, DICK'S Sporting Goods Board of Directors authorized and declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $1.10 per share on the Company's common stock and Class B common stock.
—Dividend Channel, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
The Legislature authorized some financial support for the tribe and required the state to provide it with about 4,000 acres of public land, but the promises were never kept.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Nov. 2024
The press statement does not note Ukraine's first attack using ATACMS missiles on November 19, which struck a Russian munitions depot in Bryansk Oblast shortly after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons to conduct deep-strikes into Russian territory.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for authorize
Dictionary Entries Near authorize
Cite this Entry
“Authorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorize. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
authorize
verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give authority to
2
: to give legal or official approval to
authorization
noun
ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən
authorizer
noun
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrī-zər
Legal Definition
authorize
transitive verb
au·tho·rize
ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz
authorized; authorizing
1
: to give permission to
2
: to give authority to act to
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share