Origin: Latin suffix -ment
Empowerment has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant
"The court's ruling served as a clear empowerment, granting the new agency the legal authority to enforce environmental regulations."
The achievement of political, social or economic power by an individual or group.
"The community's new leadership program focused on their empowerment through local decision-making and resource management."
In plain English: Empowerment is giving someone the power, confidence, and tools they need to take control of their own life and make things happen for themselves.
"The new policy was designed to give women more empowerment in local decision-making processes."
Usage: Empowerment refers to the process where individuals or groups gain control over their own lives and decisions rather than relying on external authority. It is often used in contexts involving community development, workplace dynamics, or civil rights movements to describe gaining agency through education or resource allocation.
The word empowerment is formed by adding the suffix -ment to empower. It entered English as a noun describing the act or process of giving someone authority or power.