legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz 
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
Examples of legalize in a Sentence
They wanted to legalize gambling in their city.
The government has legalized the use of the new drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to South Carolina, four states have legalized firing squads as an execution method: Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
Idaho, which approved of firing squads in 2023, is set to make the firing squad the state's default method next year.
—
Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
In 2022, the Czech Republic announced its plan to legalize cannabis, following Germany’s example, which legalized recreational cannabis for personal use without sales in April 2024.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The 2018 federal Farm Bill legalized hemp, defined as cannabis plants that have less than 0.3% by weight of Delta-9 THC, the primary component of the plant that gets users high.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
As more states legalize marijuana for recreational use, as well as for medicinal therapies, accessibility to the drug is more widespread, particularly among aging adults.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
In 2022, the Czech Republic announced its plan to legalize cannabis, following Germany’s example, which legalized recreational cannabis for personal use without sales in April 2024.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The 2018 federal Farm Bill legalized hemp, defined as cannabis plants that have less than 0.3% by weight of Delta-9 THC, the primary component of the plant that gets users high.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
As more states legalize marijuana for recreational use, as well as for medicinal therapies, accessibility to the drug is more widespread, particularly among aging adults.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
Cite this Entry
“Legalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legalize. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
legalize
verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
wanted to legalize gambling in their city
Legal Definition
legalize
transitive verb
le·gal·ize
ˈlē-gə-ˌlīz
legalized; legalizing
: to make legal
especially
: to give legal validity or sanction to
legalization
noun
legalizer
noun
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