authorization

American  

[aw-ther-uh-zey-shuhn] / ˌɔ θər əˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, authorisation

noun

• authorizations
  plural

1. the act of authorizing.

2. permission or power granted by an authority; sanction.

3. a legislative act authorizing money to be spent for government programs that specifies a maximum spending level without provision for actual funds.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• deauthorization
  noun
• misauthorization
  noun
• preauthorization
  noun
• reauthorization
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• authorizations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of authorization

First recorded in 1600–10; authorize + -ation

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

authorization authorizations

"Unlike most of the medical products we're used to regulating, these products continue to change after the point of authorization," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Buenos Aires argues that the arrangement breaches Argentine law, which prohibits the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons on its continental shelf without government authorization.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

I called my insurance, confirmed no prior authorization was required, got a list of in-network providers and called the outpatient clinic to confirm they accepted my plan.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

Most states have allowed immigrants who have legal work authorization — including visa holders, asylum seekers and recipients of Temporary Protected Status — to drive commercial vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026

It had been crushing for Regina to have to sign the authorization releasing the sixteen-year-old from the school.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Some took the announcement that work authorizations remained in place — made late Wednesday by U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

Moorings Park Communities, a luxury senior-living development in Naples, lost seven TPS holders whose work authorizations recently expired, said Chief Executive Daniel Lavender.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The update came on July 10, the original expiration date set for TPS holders’ work authorizations.

From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026

Foreigners with TPS are protected from removal and can receive work authorizations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

During the war, authorizations and appropriations had to be enacted well in advance of obligation and spending to afford ample time for planning of production by the procurement services and by industry.

From State of the Union Address by Harry S. Truman

Related Words

• approval
• authority
• endorsement
• green light
• sanction
• signature