definitions

empower

[ em-pou-er ]
/ ɛmˈpaʊ ər /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR empower ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to give 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.
to enable or permit: Wealth empowered him to live a comfortable life.

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RELATED WORDS

acceptance, acknowledgment, license, admission, endorsement, agreement, dispensation, permit, privilege, approval, concession, warrant, recognition, okay, permission, consent, blessing, assent, go-ahead, clearance

Nearby words

empoison, empolder, emporia, emporium, empoverish, empower, empowerment, empress, empressement, emprise, emprosthotonos

Origin of empower

First recorded in 1645–55; em-1 + power
Related formsem·pow·er·ment, nounun·em·pow·ered, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for empowerment

British Dictionary definitions for empowerment (1 of 2)

empowerment

/ (ɪmˈpaʊəmənt) /

noun

the giving or delegation of power or authority; authorization
the giving of an ability; enablement or permission
(in South Africa) a policy of providing special opportunities in employment, training, etc for Black people and others disadvantaged under apartheid

British Dictionary definitions for empowerment (2 of 2)

empower

/ (ɪmˈpaʊə) /

verb (tr)

to give or delegate power or authority to; authorize
to give ability to; enable or permit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for empowerment

empower

v.

1650s, used by Milton, but the modern popularity dates from 1986; from en- (1) + power. Related: Empowered; empowering; empowerment.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper