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legalize

[ lee-guh-lahyz ]
/ ˈli gəˌlaɪz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR legalize

verb (used with object), le·gal·ized, le·gal·iz·ing.

to make legal; authorize.

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Also especially British, le·gal·ise .

Origin of legalize

First recorded in 1710–20; legal + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM legalize

le·gal·i·za·tion, nounun·le·gal·ized, adjective

Words nearby legalize

legalese, legal holiday, legalism, legalistic, legality, legalize, Le Gallienne, legal list, legal medicine, legal memory, legal pad
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to legalize

authorize, decriminalize, codify, constitute, permit, regulate, approve, enact, legitimatize, legislate, decree, license, formulate, ordain, launder, legitimate, sanction, clean up

Example sentences from the Web for legalize

British Dictionary definitions for legalize

legalize

legalise

/ (ˈliːɡəˌlaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to make lawful or legal
to confirm or validate (something previously unlawful)

Derived forms of legalize

legalization or legalisation, noun
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