au·thor·ize
(ốthə-rīź)
[Middle English auctorisen, from Old French autoriser, from Medieval Latin auctōrizāre, from Latin auctor, author; see author.]
transitive verb: -ized, -iz·ing, -iz·es.
- To grant authority or power to.
- To give permission for; sanction: the city agency that authorizes construction projects.
- To be sufficient grounds for; justify.
derivatives
- aúthor·iźer
- noun
synonyms:
authorize, accredit, commission, empower, license These verbs mean to give someone the authority to act: authorized her partner to negotiate on her behalf; a representative who was accredited by his government; commissioned the real-estate agent to purchase the house; was empowered to make decisions during the president's absence; a pharmacist licensed to practice in two states.