appoint

/əˈpɔɪnt/

/əˈpɔɪnt/

Other forms: appointed; appointing; appoints

The President can appoint someone as ambassador to another county; that means to give them the job or recommend them for it.

It must be nice to be appointed. Usually, people who want a job have to send in applications, do interviews, and jump through lots of hoops. Appointing is different: someone with the power to appoint can usually just give you the job. In some cases, appointing isn't a sure thing and means something closer to "recommending" — but it still beats filling out all those applications. It takes power to appoint people, which is why world leaders are often the ones appointing.

Definitions of appoint

1. verb

   assign a duty, responsibility, or obligation to
   “He was appointed deputy manager”

   synonyms: charge

   types:

   assign, delegate, depute, designate

   give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)

   depute, deputise, deputize

   appoint as a substitute

   make, name, nominate

   charge with a function; charge to be

   authorise, authorize, empower

   give or delegate power or authority to

   accredit

   provide or send (envoys or embassadors) with official credentials

   create

   invest with a new title, office, or rank

   mandate

   assign authority to

   cast

   select to play,sing, or dance a part in a play, movie, musical, opera, or ballet

   post

   assign to a post; put into a post

   cast

   assign the roles of (a movie or a play) to actors

   devolve

   pass on or delegate to another

   task

   assign a task to

   place

   place somebody in a particular situation or location

   regiment

   assign to a regiment

   reassign, transfer

   transfer somebody to a different position or location of work

   delegate, depute

   transfer power to someone

   mandate

   assign under a mandate

   rename

   name again or anew

   advance, elevate, kick upstairs, promote, raise, upgrade

   give a promotion to or assign to a higher position

   break, bump, demote, kick downstairs, relegate

   assign to a lower position; reduce in rank

   entitle

   give the right to

   sanction

   give authority or permission to

   place

   assign to (a job or a home)
2. verb

   create and charge with a task or function
   synonyms: constitute, name, nominate

   types:

   pack

   set up a committee or legislative body with one's own supporters so as to influence the outcome

   co-opt

   appoint summarily or commandeer

   type of:

   constitute, establish, found, institute, plant

   set up or lay the groundwork for
3. verb

   furnish
   “a beautifully appointed house”

   type of:

   equip, fit, fit out, outfit

   provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose