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

• appointable adjective
• appointer noun
• 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

President Biden appointed Cook to a temporary term in 2022 and to a full term a year later.

From Los Angeles Times

They have also appointed a family liaison officer to support relatives of the deceased and keep them informed about the investigation.

From BBC

Cooper, who was appointed to the role earlier this month, also said the UK's decision to recognise Palestinian statehood should be a "spur, not a substitute for action".

From BBC

While new benches could help long-term, experts say quicker fixes - like appointing more judges - are needed.

From BBC

He came to prominence at Ostersund in Sweden before being appointed manager of Swansea in June 2018, and his development and attractive playing style earned him a move to Brighton a year later.

From BBC

Related Words

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