legalize

[lee-guh-lahyz]

See more synonyms for legalize on Thesaurus.com

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

to make legal; authorize.

Also especially British, le·gal·ise.

Origin of legalize

First recorded in 1710–20; legal + -ize

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for legalize

Contemporary Examples

The first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, Denmark still waves its banner high.
The Ultimate LGBT Travel Bucket List
December 12, 2014
The residents of Arkansas decide Tuesday whether to legalize the sale of an intoxicating substance statewide.
Will Arkansas’ Prohibition Finally End?
Jack Holmes
November 1, 2014
Despite the obvious appeal, the odds are long that Arkansas will legalize alcohol statewide in 2014.
Will Arkansas’ Prohibition Finally End?
Jack Holmes
November 1, 2014
If the president takes unilateral action to legalize millions of people, King said, “it will create a constitutional crisis.”
Steve King: GOP Congress Should Keep Repealing Obamacare
Ben Jacobs
October 29, 2014
To paraphrase Peter Tosh, if Illinois were to legalize it, would you advertise it?
The Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah Sounds Off on Weed, the Weather, and Winning
Bill Schulz
October 19, 2014

Historical Examples

Suppose, for instance, England should legalize slaving, again.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
A final effort to legalize slavery in Nova Scotia was made in 1808.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920
Various
Suppose we were to legalize these contracts and permit the establishment of monopolies.
Monopolies and the People
Charles Whiting Baker
If the Legislature had the right to legalize it, they had the right to reject it.
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. I (of 16)
Thomas Hart Benton
But by what steps should he proceed, to legalize the course he proposed?
The History of the Post Office in British North America
William Smith

British Dictionary definitions for legalize

legalize

legalise

verb (tr)

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

Derived Formslegalization 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

Word Origin and History for legalize

v.

1716, from legal + -ize. Related: Legalized; legalizing.

legalize

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}legalize

Related Words

Examples from the Web for legalize

Contemporary Examples

The first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, Denmark still waves its banner high.

The residents of Arkansas decide Tuesday whether to legalize the sale of an intoxicating substance statewide.

Despite the obvious appeal, the odds are long that Arkansas will legalize alcohol statewide in 2014.

If the president takes unilateral action to legalize millions of people, King said, “it will create a constitutional crisis.”

To paraphrase Peter Tosh, if Illinois were to legalize it, would you advertise it?

Historical Examples

Suppose, for instance, England should legalize slaving, again.

A final effort to legalize slavery in Nova Scotia was made in 1808.

Suppose we were to legalize these contracts and permit the establishment of monopolies.

If the Legislature had the right to legalize it, they had the right to reject it.

But by what steps should he proceed, to legalize the course he proposed?

legalize

legalise

Word Origin and History for legalize

v.

Origin of legalize