Definition

1. Verb:
   • To give official permission or approval for something: To formally allow an action or activity to occur.
   • To give someone the legal power or authority to do something: To delegate power or grant someone the right to act on one's behalf.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The city council must authorize the new construction project.
  • The manager authorized the payment of the invoice.
  • I authorize you to make decisions in my absence.

Advanced Usage

• "to be authorized to do something": To have the official permission or power to perform a specific action.
  • Only licensed personnel are authorized to operate this machinery.
• "to authorize the release of something": To give official permission for information or an item to be made public or given to someone.
  • The judge authorized the release of the documents to the press.

Variants and Related Words

• Authorization (n): Official permission or power.
  • You need written authorization to access these files.
• Authorized (adj): Officially permitted or approved.
  • Please contact an authorized dealer for repairs.
• Authorizer (n): A person or entity that grants authorization.

Synonyms

• Approve: To officially agree to or accept as satisfactory.
• Sanction: To give official permission or approval for an action.
• Empower: To give someone the authority or power to do something.
• License: To grant official permission to do or own something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms that use the word "authorize" as their core component.)

Verb

1. give or delegate power or authority to
   • She authorized her assistant to sign the papers
2. grant authorization or clearance for
   • Clear the manuscript for publication
   • The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography