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

• ˈauthorˌizer, noun
• ˌauthoriˈzation, 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

The Senate will vote Tuesday on whether to authorize the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

From The Daily Beast

He then called on Congress to authorize a program to train and equip 5,000 rebels per year in Saudi Arabia, which they did.

From The Daily Beast

If you miss your session, you authorize the app to charge your credit card or PayPal account.

From The Daily Beast

President Obama has asked Congress to authorize $500 million to train a new Syrian opposition out of Saudi Arabia.

From The Daily Beast

Obama relied on the September 14 resolution, like Bush, to authorize drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.

From The Daily Beast

Nor can he sell the property to himself, nor authorize any other person to bid and purchase for him either directly or indirectly.

From Project Gutenberg

Any owner can sell his interest whenever he pleases, and all of them may authorize the sale of the entire vessel.

From Project Gutenberg

Did you, yourself, personally authorize or instruct that the search be conducted which produced these telegrams?

From Project Gutenberg

Miller sent an orderly to find some general officer to authorize the movement, and drew up his men in readiness.

From Project Gutenberg

His next measure, one to formally authorize the relection of tribunes, was defeated.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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