authorization

American

[aw-ther-uh-zey-shuhn] / ˌɔ θər əˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, authorisation

noun

the act of authorizing.
permission or power granted by an authority; sanction.
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

deauthorization noun
misauthorization noun
preauthorization noun
reauthorization noun

Etymology

Origin of authorization

First recorded in 1600–10; authorize + -ation

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.

When he went to visit a young physicist at MIT, William Shockley, Kelly chatted with him and then called New York for authorization to make an offer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Bush asked for authorization to go to war as soon as Congress convened, which began an extended and torturous debate.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2026

The Supreme Court initially agreed to the visit but later revoked the authorization after the Brazilian government cautioned against the meeting.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced late Thursday that the U.S. is providing a temporary authorization to permit countries to purchase Russian oil that’s stranded.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

“Er, miss, we don’t have authorization for that,” the guard replied.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023