# empower

/ɪmˈpaʊɝ/ (US) · /ɛmpˈaʊɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/empower
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to give confidence and control

verb · CEFR B2

to help someone feel more confident and give them more control over their life or work.

For teachers: to enable an individual or group to gain greater self-determination and influence over their circumstances.

- The new manager wants to empower her team to make their own decisions.
- The workshop was designed to empower young entrepreneurs by providing them with the networking tools and financial literacy required to scale their businesses.

Usage: Often used in social, political, or corporate contexts regarding personal growth and autonomy.

### 2. to give legal authority

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give someone the official or legal right to do something.

For teachers: to invest with official authority or legal power to perform a specific action.

- The law empowers the police to search vehicles under certain conditions.
- The treaty empowers the international commission to monitor carbon emissions and impose sanctions on member states that fail to meet their targets.

Usage: Typically followed by an object and a 'to' infinitive.

## Examples

- The new law will empower citizens to vote online.
- The manager aims to empower her team by letting them make their own decisions on small projects.
- The scholarship program is designed to empower students from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with the financial resources and mentorship necessary to pursue careers in high-level research.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.