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.
Iran's new authority added that all transit through the strait "requires coordination with and authorization from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority".
From BBC • May 21, 2026
As of its latest earnings report in February, Nvidia said it has $58.5 billion remaining under its existing authorization.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
One study found that over 20% of cancer patients do not receive necessary treatment because of prior authorization requirements.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
Pfizer’s remaining share repurchase authorization stands at $3.3 billion.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
At some point earlier, Barack had received the authorization codes that would allow him to access the country’s nuclear arsenal and a briefing on the protocols for using them.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
