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
Between 2018 and 2024, most states legalized sports betting and millions of bettors have wagered over $220 billion legally through on-line sports platforms in the U.S., such as FanDuel and DraftKings.
—
Martin Edel, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2025
As of January 2025, numerous states have legalized cannabis for recreational use, reflecting a significant shift in public perception and policy.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
In the United States, recreational marijuana use is currently legal in 24 states, and 39 states have legalized marijuana for medical use.
—Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The Netherlands has also legalized assisted dying related to mental disorders, not just terminal illnesses.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for legalize
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Martin Edel, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2025
As of January 2025, numerous states have legalized cannabis for recreational use, reflecting a significant shift in public perception and policy.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
In the United States, recreational marijuana use is currently legal in 24 states, and 39 states have legalized marijuana for medical use.
—Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The Netherlands has also legalized assisted dying related to mental disorders, not just terminal illnesses.
—Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 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 11 Apr. 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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