authorization
Americannoun
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the act of authorizing.
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a legislative act authorizing money to be spent for government programs that specifies a maximum spending level without provision for actual funds.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of authorization
Explanation
Authorization is an official form of approval for something. You'll probably need to get authorization from the owner of a coffee shop before you hang your oil paintings on the walls. People in control are known as authorities, and their official okay, or authorization, gives you the ability to do something. The authorization of a loan means the bank grants the loan. Authorization can also refer to someone's power — if you are able to fire people, you have the authorization to do so. At the root of authorization is the verb authorize, which comes from the Latin auctor, "master or leader," or "one who causes to grow."
Vocabulary lists containing authorization
The Other Side
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for September 18–September 24, 2021
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"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Travellers from those countries would need to apply instead for an Esta - an Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026
Congress is weighing whether to include the act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which typically lands on the president’s desk by the end of the year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025
You won’t be surprised, we’re sure, to discover that Rogers has pledged to seek a provision in the forthcoming National Defense Authorization Act to support the Pentagon’s plan to continue the Sentinel program.
From Salon • Aug. 11, 2024
On Tuesday, Bass announced an extension of the Al Fresco Temporary Authorization initiative, which for years served as a lifeline for struggling Los Angeles restaurants.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2024
Authorization for the improvements should be given speedily, with initial appropriations to allow the construction of the new institutions to be undertaken at once.
From State of the Union Address by Hoover, Herbert
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
