appoint

[ uh-point ]

verb (used with object)

1. to name or assign to a position, an office, or the like; designate:

   to appoint a new treasurer; to appoint a judge to the bench.

   Synonyms: select, choose

   Antonyms: discharge, dismiss

2. to determine by authority or agreement; fix; set:

   to appoint a time for the meeting.

   Synonyms: establish, prescribe

3. Law. to designate (a person) to take the benefit of an estate created by a deed or will.
4. to provide with what is necessary; equip; furnish:

   They appointed the house with all the latest devices.

5. Archaic. to order or establish by decree or command; ordain; constitute:

   laws appointed by God.

6. Obsolete. to point at by way of censure.

verb (used without object)

1. Obsolete. to ordain; resolve; determine.

appoint

/ əˈpɔɪnt /

verb

1. also intr to assign officially, as for a position, responsibility, etc

   he was appointed manager

2. to establish by agreement or decree; fix

   a time was appointed for the duel

3. to prescribe or ordain

   laws appointed by tribunal

4. property law to nominate (a person), under a power granted in a deed or will, to take an interest in property
5. to equip with necessary or usual features; furnish

   a well-appointed hotel

Derived Forms

• apˈpointer, noun

Other Words From

• ap·pointa·ble adjective
• ap·pointer noun
• misap·point verb (used with object)
• reap·point verb (used with object)
• unap·pointa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of appoint¹

1325–75; Middle English apointen, from Middle French apointer, equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + pointer “to point ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of appoint¹

C14: from Old French apointer to put into a good state, from a point in good condition, literally: to a point

Synonym Study

See furnish.

Example Sentences

Doug Williams, the Ring of Fame quarterback and longtime member of the Washington Football Team’s front office, has been appointed senior adviser to team president Jason Wright, the team announced Thursday.

From Washington Post

There’s been plenty of uproar in Oceanside recently over Kori Jensen, a Realtor and the city’s newest councilwoman, and whether she actually lives in the district she was appointed to represent.

From Voice of San Diego

In her January veto letter, Bowser said the new watchdog would create a “duplicative, overly broad and costly administrative structure” — and possibly violate the Home Rule Act by creating an executive office with a director appointed by the council.

From Washington Post

It also mandates that the Commander-in-Chief appoints key ministerial positions, and allows the military to take over in times of emergency.

From Time

When appointed principal, he was the first lay person to head a Catholic school in the Washington archdiocese.

From Washington Post

I quickly appoint myself bartender and make the man a drink.

From The Daily Beast

And he was said to be urging Obama to appoint her as his successor.

From The Daily Beast

If I resign any time this year, he could not successfully appoint anyone I would like to see in the court.

From The Daily Beast

Baquet and his evolving leadership team (he has yet to appoint a managing editor) face daunting challenges.

From The Daily Beast

The online recruiters say IS can appoint a guardian for them to provide permission.

From The Daily Beast

The board will appoint a settling agent who shall keep the necessary records and accounts.

From Project Gutenberg

Before I set about it I wish to see you and Mr. Fox, and will call any day you may appoint.

From Project Gutenberg

If these gentlemen had thought to avoid slippery ground, they should have elected to appoint the meeting elsewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

I intend to sail for that place in about a month or six weeks, but shall appoint agents in England to erect these engines.

From Project Gutenberg

So I was obliged to appoint somebody whose rank and lofty position under the government would protect him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assign
• choose
• designate
• elect
• establish
• install
• name
• nominate
• select
• set