Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo give permission, power, or the legal right to do something.
verbTo give someone more confidence and/or strength to do something, often by enabling them to increase their control over their own life or situation.
Sentence Examples
I want to empower the people.
Fadil started a non-profit organization to empower teen moms.
The new law aims to ____ individuals to take control of their finances.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We want to ____ women to take leadership roles in society.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₁én
Proto-Italic *en
Proto-Italic *en-
Latin in-
Old French en-bor.
Middle English en-
English em
Proto-Indo-European *pótis
Proto-Italic *potis
Proto-Indo-European *h₁es-
Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésti
Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH-
Proto-Indo-European *bʰúHt
Proto-Italic *som
Proto-Italic *possom
Latin posseder.
Vulgar Latin potēre
Old French pooir
Anglo-Norman poerbor.
Middle English power
English power
English empower
From em + power.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Regulations have been made under the Civil Aviation Acts of 1949, 1980 and 1982 which empower Inspectors of Accidents to do these things."
— 1985, William H. Tench, Safety is no accident:
"Once on site, inspectors are empowered to exercise wide-ranging legal powers - including the right to enter railway property or land adjoining it; to make written, electronic or photographic records; to seize equipment, remove or retain samples; and to be given access to records and recording equipment."
— 2021 December 29, Paul Stephen, “Rail's accident inspectors”, in RAIL, number 947, page 30:
"Musically, what originally attracted me to dance was its shamanist aspects, using natural magic to change people's neurological states and to psychologically empower them."
— 1992, Nick Logan, The Face, page 11-130:
"This side of the training is effective in empowering employees to make better decisions on site, and helps to improve employee retention."
— 2021 November 17, Davie Carns, “Addressing the skills gap”, in RAIL, number 944, page 62: