authorization

noun

au·​tho·​ri·​za·​tion ˌȯ-th(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce authorization (audio)
Synonyms of authorizationnext
1
: the act of authorizing
2
: an instrument that authorizes : sanction

Synonyms of authorization

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of authorization in a Sentence

you will need the authorization of the council before you can act his authorization to go ahead with the project was finally given
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Organizations will need policies for custody, transaction authorization, financial reporting, reserve verification, cybersecurity, and compliance. — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 How federal agents pulled the plug The Justice Department obtained court authorization to seize domains used by QScan and QTRouter. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Alongside earnings back in May, Nvidia announced an $80 billion buyback authorization and a quarterly dividend increase to 25 cents per share from 1 cent. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 The authorization vote does not mean educators will begin striking yet. — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for authorization

Word History

Etymology

Middle English auctorisation "legal validation of a document," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French auctorisacion "authorization," borrowed from Medieval Latin auctōrizātiōn-, auctōrizātiō "recognition as authoritative, authorization," from auctōrizāre "to authorize" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of authorization was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing authorization

Rhymes for authorization

See All Rhymes for authorization

Browse Nearby Words

authority to purchase
authorization
authorize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Authorization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorization. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All