What does legalize mean?
Legalize is a verb meaning to make something lawful or give it formal legal recognition. Its best-known use concerns policies or practices that were previously prohibited, restricted, or unregulated, as in phrases such as “legalize abortion” and “legalize gambling.” A law may legalize an activity by expressly permitting it, removing previous restrictions, or establishing a regulatory framework for it. The verb can also be used more generally for formal authorization, including official recognition of a status or arrangement. In American English the standard spelling is “legalize,” while “legalise” is common in British English. The related noun “legalization” names the process or result of making something legal. Legalize should not be confused with “legitimize”: the former is specifically connected with law and official recognition, whereas the latter can mean making something valid, proper, or justifiable in a broader social or moral sense.
verbTo make an activity, practice, or status lawful or legally recognized. It can also mean to authorize something officially through legal or administrative procedures.
- To make an activity, practice, or status lawful or legally recognized.
- To authorize or approve something formally, especially through an official legal process.
"The new law seeks to legalize the practice while imposing strict safety requirements."
"Parliament voted to legalize the use of cannabis for medical purposes."
"The authorities legalized the arrangement through a formal government licence."
Legalize does not merely describe what the law already permits: it describes the moment a practice crosses the line from prohibited to officially recognized.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does legalize come from?
Legalize was formed in the 19th century from “legal,” meaning lawful or relating to law, together with the suffix “-ize,” which forms verbs expressing action or the bringing about of a condition. “Legal” comes through Old French from Latin legalis, derived from lex, meaning law or statute. The same Latin root also underlies words such as “legislate,” “legislature,” and “legitimate.”
Related word forms
How legalize is actually used
The spelling legalize is standard in American English; legalise is the usual British variant. The word often concerns a practice that was previously prohibited, unregulated, or lacking official recognition. In broader figurative use, it can mean to approve or give a legitimate status to something, though this usage is less common.
Easily confused with legalize
Legalize means to make something lawful or officially recognized, whereas legitimize more broadly means to make something valid, proper, or justifiable.
Legal describes something permitted by law, while legalize is the verb describing the act of making it lawful.