preauthorization

or pre-au·thor·i·za·tion

[ pree-aw-ther-uh-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of authorizing or giving official permission for something in advance, especially of authorizing a charge to an account before supplying goods or services:

   The surgeon can request preauthorization on your behalf to see if your insurance will cover the procedure.

   All car rentals are subject to a $2,500 credit card preauthorization.

Word History and Origins

Origin of preauthorization¹

First recorded in 1935–40; pre- ( def ) + authorization ( def )