empower

[ em-pou-er ]
/ ɛmˈpaʊ ər /
SEE 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.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of empower

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

OTHER WORDS FROM empower

em·pow·er·ment, nounun·em·pow·ered, adjective

Words nearby empower

empoison, empolder, emporia, emporium, empoverish, empower, empowerment, empress, empressement, emprise, emprosthotonos
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to empowerment

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

Example sentences 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