enumerate

verb

enu·​mer·​ate i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt How to pronounce enumerate (audio)
enumerated; enumerating

transitive verb

1
: to ascertain the number of : count
2
: to specify one after another : list
enumerative
i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrā-tiv How to pronounce enumerate (audio)
-ˈn(y)üm-rə-
-ˈn(y)ü-mə-rə-
adjective

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The Meaning of Enumerate Gets Specific

In a census year, the U.S. government attempts to enumerate every single citizen of the country—a task that, even in the modern era of technology, isn't truly possible. Medical tests often require the enumeration of bacteria, viruses, or other organisms to determine the progress of a disease or the effectiveness of a medication. Despite its numer- root, you don't have to use numbers when enumerating. For students of government and law, the "enumerated powers" are the specific responsibilities of the Congress, as listed in the U.S. Constitution; these are the only powers that Congress has, a fact that the Tenth Amendment makes even more clearly.

Examples of enumerate in a Sentence

Let me enumerate my reasons for doing this. I proceeded to enumerate the reasons why I would be justified in filing a lawsuit for negligence.
Recent Examples on the Web For decades, state and federal officials have tried to set rules that enumerate the rights of independent contractors, only to encounter stiff corporate opposition that has stymied legislatures and resulted in a patchwork of confusing laws and court decisions. Tony Romm, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 Wi-Fi 7 features, as enumerated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 8 Jan. 2024 At the press conference Wednesday, the chief declined to enumerate the different locations where Mahogany was taken – or where she was ultimately shot to death, citing the pending court case. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 By striving to enumerate flaws in the art rather than in the people who make it, for one thing. Ty Burr, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 To distinguish the Dorado octopus as a separate species in the recent investigation, the scientists made careful observations and descriptions of the different octopuses, such as measuring their arms and enumerating their suckers. Ashley Balzer Vigil, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2024 Indeed, despite the posthumous criticisms of Friedman’s legacy that Burns painstakingly enumerates, his work still thoroughly shapes our lives. Krithika Varagur, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2024 Forensic experts wrote the official cause of death in their case files, which enumerated cases of torture and execution. Kevin Sieff, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2023 Persuasive, clear language enumerates the many reasons not to waste that money and endanger lives by building new atomic bombs, submarines, missiles and planes. Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 29 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enumerate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin enumeratus, past participle of enumerare, from e- + numerare to count, from numerus number

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enumerate was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near enumerate

Cite this Entry

“Enumerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enumerate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

enumerate

verb
enu·​mer·​ate i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt How to pronounce enumerate (audio)
enumerated; enumerating
1
: to find out the number of : count
2
: to list one after another
enumeration noun

More from Merriam-Webster on enumerate

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