ENGLISH
REFERENCE

authorization

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɔθɝəˈzeɪʃən// au·tho·riza·tion Dialect

n. official permission to do something. You usually need this from a person in charge or a government office before you start a project or enter a building.

n. the act of granting official permission or the document that proves such permission has been given. Often implies a formal administrative process or a security clearance.


SIMPLE

You need written authorization to enter the lab.

CONTEXTUAL

The bank refused to process the transfer because the account holder had not provided the necessary authorization.

COMPLEX

The regulatory body granted temporary authorization for the clinical trial, provided that the researchers submitted weekly safety reports to the ethics committee.

Synonyms
Origin

From authorize + -ation.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the power or process of giving permission; countable when referring to a specific document or instance of permission.

Pitfall

I have the authorization for do itI have the authorization to do itThe noun authorization is followed by a 'to' infinitive, not 'for' plus a gerund.

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