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

Youth Guarantee funding formed part of a wider welfare reform package in the Budget, where Reeves said the system should "protect people who cannot work and empower those who can".

Read more on BBC

This change will empower clients to exercise their shareholder rights as they see fit—reinforcing that their policy, not ours, drives voting outcomes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Budget, Reed said the levy aims to empower locally-elected mayors to "unlock growth through investment", such as putting on events or improving public transport systems.

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As a result, the law-makers have spent years trying to crack down on dangerous play by empowering referees to sanction illegal tackles with red and yellow cards.

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“The Department’s mission is to have full transparency with the community by providing information about our cases to empower people to make changes that save lives,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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