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 of enable

• let
• allow
• empower

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

These event listeners enhance accessibility by enabling form submission or closure // when the user presses either the 'Enter' or 'Space' key. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Consider Inside Membership a slick, Uber-like alternative to traditional PR agencies, streamlining the process of bookings, content creation and measurement of ROI, since it’s all enabled by proprietary technology. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

The transaction that saw the smaller Paramount Skydance take over the larger WBD was enabled through Byzantine financing structures and a consortium of debt partners that include Middle East sovereign wealth funds. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

The operating moment unifies these capabilities, enabling leaders to determine whether an opportunity deserves pursuit before momentum develops. — Adam Feiner, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for enable

• able
• chaebol
• fable
• label
• sable
• stabile
• stable
• table
• allocable
• educable
• irrigable
• purchasable

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