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

Other Word Forms

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

It’s unusual — but not unheard of — for a neutral arbiter to be appointed to investigate cases from a specific firm in a massive settlement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The board, which is appointed by the mayor’s office, did not elaborate on the challenges, but the park has long been a gathering place for homeless people who often experience mental health issues.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When he was appointed chief executive, Mr Fiddelke said in a statement that the company had "work to do", and needed to move "faster, much faster".

Read more on BBC

But last month's reshuffle left the deputy leadership as a purely party role after Sir Keir appointed David Lammy as deputy prime minister and placed key allies in other cabinet roles.

Read more on BBC

James filed a motion Friday morning seeking to dismiss the indictment against her, also arguing that Halligan wasn’t properly appointed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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