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

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

The State Department said that Steve Fagin, a career diplomat, will work alongside US Army Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, the military head already appointed to the hub set up after the October 10 ceasefire.

Read more on Barron's

They appoint loyalists over competent officials, undermine courts, and turn citizens against one another.

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The inquiry team said his replacement would be decided by Scottish government ministers, with the new chairperson then appointing counsel.

Read more on BBC

"Following consultations with parliamentary factions, today I signed the decree appointing Mr. Alexandru Munteanu as candidate for the office of prime minister of the Republic of Moldova," Sandu said in a post on Facebook.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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