empower

[em-pou-er]

verb (used with object)

1. to give power pow power or authority to; authorize, especially by legal or official means.

   I empowered my agent to make the deal for me. The local ordinance empowers the board of health to close unsanitary restaurants.

   Synonyms: qualify, license, commission, warrant

2. to enable or permit.

   Wealth empowered him to live a comfortable life.

empower

/ ɪmˈpaʊə /

verb

1. to give or delegate power or authority to; authorize

2. to give ability to; enable or permit

Other Word Forms

• empowerment noun
• unempowered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of empower¹

First recorded in 1645–55; em- ¹ + power

Example Sentences

Neither is there harm in examining how such monsters’ sense of impunity is empowered.

Read more on Salon

He insisted the key was "to empower" those who produce food -- particularly women, who he said must have land rights and access to credit and technology.

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“Ibogaine gave me my life back. With AB 1103, California is leading — empowering researchers to advance rigorous studies with the urgency this work warrants.”

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“There’s no way that the U.S. government wants to see more U.S. investment going in there to empower” China’s technology companies, he said.

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Prof Kevin Whelan, senior research author and professor of dietetics at KCL, said the new guidance "marks a promising step towards empowering health professionals and their patients to manage constipation through diet".

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Related Words

• allow 
• entitle 
• entrust 
• grant 
• legitimize 
• permit 
• vest