1. to make something legal or lawful; to give legal status to something that was previously illegal

Examples

• The state voted to legalize marijuana for medical use.
• Many countries have legalized same-sex marriage in recent years.
• The government decided to legalize certain forms of gambling.
• Activists are working to legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.
• The new law will legalize the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
• Some economists argue that we should legalize all drugs to reduce crime.