enable

verb

en·​able i-ˈnā-bəl 

enabled; enabling i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to provide with the means or opportunity

training that enables people to earn a living

b

: to make possible, practical, or easy

a deal that would enable passage of a new law

c

: to cause to operate

software that enables the keyboard

2

: to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to

a law enabling admission of a state

Did you know?

Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler

Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.

Synonyms

• allow
• empower
• let
• permit

Examples of enable in a Sentence

The machine enables us to create copies without losing quality.

The system enables students to access class materials online.

These choices are part of what enabled the company to be successful.

a filing system that enables easy access to information

Be sure to enable your computer's firewall.

Recent Examples on the Web

The University of Rhode Island built landers are outfitted with a suite of software, cameras and specimen-collection apparatus that will enable them to remain deployed almost three miles below the surface on a unique one-year mission. —Robin Catalano, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2024

But by allowing students and their parents to borrow virtually any amount to study virtually anything, the government has enabled colleges to raise tuition without consequence. —Lilia Luciano, CBS News, 9 June 2024

Our funding will enable us to finalize our acquisitions of the Genesis Extraction System, Net Simple and others providing funding for growth at those Companies while also being able to complete the appraisal report on reserves at the Troy mine, while working to reopen the mine for operations. —Kansas City Star, 7 June 2024

This experience, though enabled by the exceptional circumstance of a global pandemic, is still illustrative of the power of sharing. —Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

enable

verb

en·​able in-ˈā-bəl 

enabled; enabling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to make able

glasses enable you to read

b

: to make possible, practical, or easy

2

: to give legal power or permission to