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

This could one day enable mobile EEG monitoring outside a clinical setting, among other potential applications. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026

These X-ray images were recorded digitally, enabling the astronauts to review them straight away without having to develop film. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 July 2026

Efficiency breakthroughs can also lead to more use rather than lower spending, as cheaper and faster AI enables new products and prompts consumers to run models more often. — Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 July 2026

Aramco’s East-West pipeline and its investments in storage facilities around the world enabled it to take advantage of higher crude prices. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 14 July 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