ENGLISH
REFERENCE

legalization

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɫiɡəɫəˈzeɪʃən// le·gal·iza·tion

n. the act of making something legal so that it is no longer against the law. This usually happens when a government changes a rule about things like medicine or certain activities.

n. the process of removing a legal prohibition against a previously illegal act or substance. Often involves the creation of a regulatory framework to manage the newly permitted activity.


SIMPLE

The legalization of the new medicine helped many patients.

CONTEXTUAL

Public debate intensified as the government considered the legalization of sports betting to increase tax revenue.

COMPLEX

Proponents of legalization argue that bringing the industry into a regulated market reduces criminal activity and ensures higher safety standards for consumers.

Synonyms
Origin

From legalize + -ation. Piecewise doublet of loyalization.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the activity or substance being made legal.

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