le·gal·ize legalizes legalizing legalized in BRIT, also use legalise If something is legalized, a law is passed that makes it legal. Divorce was legalized in 1981. the decision of the Georgian government to legalise multi-party elections. + legalization le·gali·za·tion She ruled out the legalisation of drugs. to make something legal so that people are allowed to do it criminalize