authorization
Americannoun
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the act of authorizing.
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a legislative act authorizing money to be spent for government programs that specifies a maximum spending level without provision for actual funds.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of authorization
Explanation
Authorization is an official form of approval for something. You'll probably need to get authorization from the owner of a coffee shop before you hang your oil paintings on the walls. People in control are known as authorities, and their official okay, or authorization, gives you the ability to do something. The authorization of a loan means the bank grants the loan. Authorization can also refer to someone's power — if you are able to fire people, you have the authorization to do so. At the root of authorization is the verb authorize, which comes from the Latin auctor, "master or leader," or "one who causes to grow."
Vocabulary lists containing authorization
The Other Side
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for September 18–September 24, 2021
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"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One study found that over 20% of cancer patients do not receive necessary treatment because of prior authorization requirements.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
“A pending transaction or authorization is a charge that’s authorized by your credit card company, but not yet fully processed by the merchant,” according to this guide from Capital One.
From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026
The research achievements have been submitted for patents in multiple countries, and two patents had already been granted authorization at the time of the HKU announcement.
From Science Daily • May 10, 2026
The authority is awaiting permit authorization from Canada’s fisheries department.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
"She didn't have proper authorization," said the Warden.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
