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

We saw this with RGB refusing to step down and then Trump appointing her successor.

From Salon

Often a managing agent is appointed by the freeholder.

From BBC

Elon Musk, who Trump appointed to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency agency, has said that he has a prescription for ketamine, a psychedelic-like anesthetic, and has discussed using other psychedelics.

From Salon

Earlier on Friday, Trump confirmed reports that Project 2025 architect Russ Vought would lead the Office of Management and Budget and appointed hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to serve as Treasury secretary.

From Salon

One of them, dismissing the case on the fringe theory that Smith was not properly appointed as special counsel, is pending before the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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