appoint

American  

[uh-point] / əˈpɔɪnt /

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.

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verb (used without object)

1. Obsolete. to ordain; resolve; determine.

appoint British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See furnish.

Other Word Forms

• appointable adjective
• appointer noun
• misappoint verb (used with object)
• reappoint verb (used with object)
• unappointable adjective

Etymology

Origin of appoint

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

Example Sentences

A new investigation stems from a Peruvian TV report, which said five young women were appointed to the president's office and the environment ministry after they met with Jeri late last year.

From Barron's

Jeri, a onetime leader of Congress himself, was appointed to serve out the remainder of Boluarte's term, which runs until July, when a new president will take over following elections on April 12.

From Barron's

The HHS spokesman, Danker, said the move was meant to help lower drug prices and was decided before Pazdur was appointed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Downing Street chief of staff Morgan MacSweeney said he took "full responsibility" for advising the PM to appoint Lord Mandelson and resigned.

From BBC

Australian Postecoglou was appointed as his successor but lasted only 39 days after failing to win any of his eight league games in charge - drawing two and losing six.

From BBC

Related Words

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