appoint

[ uh-point ]

verb (used with object)

1. to name or assign to a position, an office, or the like; designate:

   to appoint a new treasurer; to appoint a judge to the bench.

   Synonyms: select, choose

   Antonyms: discharge, dismiss

2. to determine by authority or agreement; fix; set:

   to appoint a time for the meeting.

   Synonyms: establish, prescribe

3. Law. to designate (a person) to take the benefit of an estate created by a deed or will.
4. to provide with what is necessary; equip; furnish:

   They appointed the house with all the latest devices.

5. Archaic. to order or establish by decree or command; ordain; constitute:

   laws appointed by God.

6. Obsolete. to point at by way of censure.

verb (used without object)

1. Obsolete. to ordain; resolve; determine.

appoint

/ əˈpɔɪnt /

verb

1. also intr to assign officially, as for a position, responsibility, etc

   he was appointed manager

2. to establish by agreement or decree; fix

   a time was appointed for the duel

3. to prescribe or ordain

   laws appointed by tribunal

4. property law to nominate (a person), under a power granted in a deed or will, to take an interest in property
5. to equip with necessary or usual features; furnish

   a well-appointed hotel

Derived Forms

• apˈpointer, noun

Other Words From

• ap·pointa·ble adjective
• ap·pointer noun
• misap·point verb (used with object)
• reap·point verb (used with object)
• unap·pointa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appoint¹

1325–75; Middle English apointen, from Middle French apointer, equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + pointer “to point ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of appoint¹

C14: from Old French apointer to put into a good state, from a point in good condition, literally: to a point

Synonym Study

See furnish.

Example Sentences

Before Thune defeated two of his colleagues to win the leadership post, Trump said on social media that he wanted the new Senate leaders to push his nominees through using recess appointments, where the Senate would declare itself closed for business for 10 days so the president can appoint a Cabinet secretary for the remainder of the two-year session.

From Los Angeles Times

But for the most part, Trump was popular enough to be on track to win in 2020 because he did fairly standard Republican things like cut taxes, slash regulations, and appoint originalist judges.

From Slate

Mr Jones said the post had been advertised three times but so far it had "not been possible to make a permanent appointment" and arrangements to appoint a head teacher on a temporary basis were under way.

From BBC

With a Stake logo on many of his website’s viral posts, maybe the Phantom of Mar-a-Lago and his host will never appoint someone anti-business enough to throw the hammer down soon.

From Slate

President Joe Biden chose to appoint a retired four-star general, Secretary Lloyd Austin, who served as the commander of US Central Command and faced some criticism from lawmakers for not informing the White House about undergoing medical procedures while in office.

From BBC

Related Words

• assign
• choose
• designate
• elect
• establish
• install
• name
• nominate
• select
• set