authorization

especially British, au·thor·i·sa·tion

[aw-ther-uh-zey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of authorizing.

2. permission or power granted by an authority; sanction.

3. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of authorization¹

First recorded in 1600–10; authorize + -ation

Example Sentences

In 2015, Congress authorized California’s program through a highway funding bill, but that authorization expired Sept. 30.

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The attorney general can name people to posts temporarily, but that authorization can only last 120 days.

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The move by then-President Reagan to grant amnesty, giving legal status and a path to citizenship to many immigrants lacking authorization, helped pave the way for a booming fashion economy, she said.

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The company said it would work with global health authorities as it prepares marketing authorization applications, and will present the results in detail at an upcoming scientific congress.

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“This makes every sniff of holiday activity — foot traffic, discount depth, card authorizations — disproportionately important. In a data desert, even a puddle looks like a lake.”

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Related Words

• approval 
• authority 
• endorsement 
• green light 
• sanction 
• signature