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

The aim of such an education isn’t to tell students what to think; it is to empower them to think more deeply, more critically and for themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal

She sees bartenders less empowered to experiment or use technique and more focused on giving people what they expect to see online.

From Salon

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".

From BBC

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

From 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.

From BBC

Related Words

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