Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To invest with power, especially legal power or official authority. synonym: authorize.
  • transitive verb To equip or supply with an ability; enable.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To give power or authority to; authorize, as by law, commission, letter of attorney, verbal license, etc.: as, the commissioner is empowered to make terms.
  • To impart power or force to; give efficacy to; enable.
  • Synonyms To commission, license, warrant, qualify.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To give authority to; to delegate power to; to commission; to authorize (having commonly a legal force)
  • transitive verb To give moral or physical power, faculties, or abilities to.
  • transitive verb to enable or permit; to give more opportunity for independent action.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb transitive To give permission, power, or the legal right to do something.
  • verb transitive To give someone more confidence and/or strength to do something, often by enabling them to increase their control over their own life or situation.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb give or delegate power or authority to
  • verb give qualities or abilities to

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

em- +‎ power

Support

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Examples

  • She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • She says: The word enable can be contrasted with the word empower.

    No Uncertain Terms William Safire 2003

  • Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."

    vulnerability 2010

  • Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."

    vulnerability 2010

  • Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."

    Leadership 2010

  • Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."

    Community 2010

  • Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."

    6 posts from February 2010 2010

  • Oxford defines vulnerable as "susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm"; empower is to "give (someone) the authority or power to do something."

    Integrity 2010

Comments

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  • Said so often in health and human services that it almost means nothing. Stolen. Worn out. Even co-opted. Way to ruin something.

    June 29, 2008

  • I dislike this word so much that I consider it an un-word.

    June 29, 2008

  • I agree whole-heartedly. Such an annoying and vacuous word.

    December 22, 2008

  • I agree whole-heartedly. Such an annoying and vacuous word.

    December 22, 2008

  • Ugh. I'm adding that to my "hated" list.

    December 22, 2008

  • I find this word empowering.

    December 22, 2008