empower

American  

[em-pou-er] / ɛmˈpaʊ ər /

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.

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empower British  

/ ɪmˈpaʊə /

verb

1. to give or delegate power or authority to; authorize

2. to give ability to; enable or permit

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Other Word Forms

• empowerment noun
• unempowered adjective

Etymology

Origin of empower

First recorded in 1645–55; em- ¹ + power

Example Sentences

But in November, the SEC’s corporate finance division decided to effectively empower public companies to unilaterally block shareholder proposals.

From Barron's

“We require leaders who are willing, equipped, and empowered to get the house in order,” the Allied Pilots Association union said in a letter to the airline’s board, which includes Isom.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company said it was consolidating the number of districts to streamline its store field structure and better empower store directors, prompting the layoffs.

From The Wall Street Journal

What those nurses said was terrifying; that they felt empowered to say it publicly is even more so.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Everyone feels very empowered to raise their hands and say, ‘Hey, how can we fold this in?’”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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