authorize

[ aw-thuh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing.

1. to give authority or official power to; empower:

   to authorize an employee to sign purchase orders.

2. to give authority for; formally sanction (an act or proceeding):

   Congress authorized the new tax on tobacco.

3. to establish by authority or usage:

   an arrangement long authorized by etiquette books.

4. to afford a ground for; warrant; justify.

authorize

/ ˈɔːθəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to confer authority upon (someone to do something); empower
2. to permit (someone to do or be something) with official sanction

   a dealer authorized by a manufacturer to retail his products

Derived Forms

• ˌauthoriˈzation, noun
• ˈauthorˌizer, noun

Other Words From

• author·iza·ble adjective
• author·izer noun
• de·author·ize verb (used with object) deauthorized deauthorizing
• mis·author·ize verb (used with object) misauthorized misauthorizing
• pre·author·ize verb (used with object) preauthorized preauthorizing
• re·author·ize verb (used with object) reauthorized reauthorizing
• self-author·izing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of authorize¹

1350–1400; earlier auctorize < Medieval Latin auctōrizāre; replacing Middle English autorisen < Middle French autoriser < Medieval Latin See author, -ize

Example Sentences

During his first term, for example, Mr. Trump invoked this power to spend more on a border wall than Congress had been willing to authorize.

From New York Times

Copyright Office granted access to medical device data, encompassing devices that aren’t implanted and allowing patients to authorize third parties to access devices to a certain extent.

From Salon

Congress, which authorizes and funds NIH, would have to sign off on major shifts in the agency’s funding.

From Science Magazine

This bond measure would authorize the state to borrow $10 billion to help fund the response to climate-related disasters such as drought, flooding and extreme heat.

From Los Angeles Times

The first place in California to authorize youth suffrage was Berkeley, where in 2016 more than 70% of voters approved a measure allowing students to have a voice in school board races.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• approve
• confirm
• endorse
• license
• ratify
• sanction
• warrant