# empowerment

/ɪmˈpaʊɝmənt/ (US) · /ɛmpˈaʊəmənt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. personal confidence

noun · CEFR B2

the process of gaining more confidence and control over your own life.

For teachers: the psychological process of developing a sense of autonomy and self-confidence, enabling an individual to make their own choices.

- The workshop focuses on the empowerment of young people to help them start their own businesses.
- The curriculum is designed to foster personal empowerment by encouraging students to take a lead role in community projects.

### 2. social or political power

noun · CEFR B2

giving a group of people more power or rights in society.

For teachers: the granting of political, social, or economic power to a specific group, often to address historical inequality.

- The new law was a major step toward the economic empowerment of women in the region.
- The movement sought the political empowerment of minority groups through increased representation in the local legislature.

### 3. South African policy

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect · Technical

government programs in South Africa that help Black people get better jobs and opportunities.

For teachers: specific government initiatives in South Africa designed to redress the inequalities of apartheid by encouraging the economic advancement of Black citizens.

- The company updated its hiring policy to comply with national empowerment standards.
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment remains a central pillar of the government's strategy to transform the national economy.

Usage: Often appears in the acronym BEE (Black Economic Empowerment).

## Examples

- Education is a key tool for the empowerment of young people.
- The new government policy focuses on the economic empowerment of women by providing small business grants and mentorship.
- True structural empowerment requires more than just symbolic gestures; it necessitates a fundamental redistribution of resources and decision-making authority within the organization's hierarchy.

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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.