verb
empower
ihm-POW-uh
verb
1
To give someone the authority or legal right to do something.
"The new law empowers local councils to set their own budgets."
2
To give someone greater confidence or control over their own life.
"The workshop was designed to empower young women to pursue careers in science."
How to Use Empower
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give someone power, authority, or confidence to act for themselves.
Common pairings
empower employees
empower women
feel empowered
Word Forms
empowered past tense, empowers singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “empower”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new law _____ local councils to set their own budgets.
Etymology
From em- (a form of "in") + power.