authorize

[ aw-thuh-rahyz ]
/ ˈɔ θəˌraɪz /

verb (used with object), au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing.

to give authority or official power to; empower: to authorize an employee to sign purchase orders.
to give authority for; formally sanction (an act or proceeding): Congress authorized the new tax on tobacco.
to establish by authority or usage: an arrangement long authorized by etiquette books.
to afford a ground for; warrant; justify.
Also especially British, au·thor·ise.

Origin of authorize

1350–1400; earlier auctorize < Medieval Latin auctōrizāre; replacing Middle English autorisen < Middle French autoriser < Medieval Latin See author, -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM authorize

Example sentences from the Web for authorize

British Dictionary definitions for authorize

authorize

authorise

/ (ˈɔːθəˌraɪz) /

verb (tr)

to confer authority upon (someone to do something); empower
to permit (someone to do or be something) with official sanction a dealer authorized by a manufacturer to retail his products

Derived forms of authorize

authorization or authorisation, noun authorizer or authoriser, noun