/ ɪmˈpaʊə(r); NAmE / verb [ often passive ]
1.
( formal ) to give sb the power or authority to do sth
SYN authorize :
[ vn to inf ]
The courts were empowered to impose the death sentence for certain crimes.
[also vn ]
2.
to give sb more control over their own life or the situation they are in :
[ vn ]
The movement actively empowered women and gave them confidence in themselves.
[also vn to inf ]
► em·power·ment noun [ U ]:
the empowerment of the individual