Authorization

/ˌɔːθəraɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

Authorization is official permission to do something. It can be written, spoken, or built into systems, like when a bank authorizes a payment.

Etymology

Formed from “authorize” with the noun ending “-ation.” It spread in legal, business, and later computer language to label the step where permission is granted.

Kelly Says

In tech, authentication answers “Who are you?” and authorization answers “What are you allowed to do?” That two-step dance quietly controls almost everything you can access online.

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