appoint

verb

ap·​point ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce appoint (audio)
appointed; appointing; appoints

transitive verb

1
a
: to fix or set officially
appoint a trial date
b
: to name officially
will appoint her director of the program
c
archaic : arrange
d
law : to determine the disposition of (an estate) to someone by virtue of a power of appointment
2
: to provide with complete and usually appropriate or elegant furnishings or equipment
appointed the rooms with a curated selection of art and furniture …Chron.com
a beautifully appointed room

intransitive verb

: to exercise a power of appointment
Choose the Right Synonym for appoint

furnish, equip, outfit, appoint, accoutre mean to supply one with what is needed.

furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function.

a sparsely furnished apartment

equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.

a fully equipped kitchen

outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special occupation.

outfitted the family for a ski trip

appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.

a lavishly appointed apartment

accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.

fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

Examples of appoint in a Sentence

She was appointed professor of chemistry at the university. After his parents died, the boy's uncle was appointed as his guardian. Every year, the group appoints three new members. a committee appointed by Congress the company's newly appointed assistant director
Recent Examples on the Web Rhone appointed Tess Roering to its board of directors. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024 The program started in 1943, when then-Governor Walter Goodland appointed people to the first historical markers committee. Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024 The two men, who are both former Apprentice contestants and shareholders in the company, said that the company needed to abide by a 2021 agreement that granted them the ability to appoint directors to the company’s board and other financial incentives. William Turton, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024 If dissolved, a judge would appoint a trustee to oversee the district, potentially leading to its operations merging with nearby fire departments. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Additionally, the board has appointed Tencent Music CFO Min Hu (a.k.a. Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 In January, 2023, without informing the President, Garland appointed Robert Hur to investigate Biden’s retention of classified documents. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 In the interim, while Papa Johns begins the search for its next President and CEO, the company has appointed Ravi Thanawala, the current CFO, to interim CEO, effective March 20. Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024 Stewart became the first Black woman elected to the court, following in the footsteps of Yvette McGee Brown, the first Black woman appointed to the court. Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French appointer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + point point

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1c

Time Traveler
The first known use of appoint was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near appoint

Cite this Entry

“Appoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appoint. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

appoint

verb
ap·​point ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce appoint (audio)
1
: to decide on usually from a position of authority
the teacher appointed a time for our meeting
2
: to choose for some job or offices
I was appointed to wash the dishes
the school board appointed three new teachers
the president appoints a cabinet

Legal Definition

appoint

transitive verb
ap·​point ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce appoint (audio)
1
: to name officially to a position
appointed to the agency's top post
appointed conservator of the estate
2
: to determine the distribution of (property) by exercising the authority granted by a power of appointment
a general power to appoint the corpus of a trustW. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

intransitive verb

: to exercise a power of appointment see also power of appointment
appointive adjective
appointment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on appoint

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