enabled; enabling
i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ 
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.
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 enables the whole brain system to return to a state of balance.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Who better to enable than Matas Buzelis, a prized upstart who’s already requested that the staff coach him like an All-Defensive player.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In late September, China signed a decree enabling the country’s government to retaliate against countries that implement discriminatory bans, restrictions or other measures targeting Chinese operators, vessels or crew.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Oct. 2025
Their team's expertise in DHI, Sapphire FUE, and Unique FUE procedures can enable them to customize each surgery to the patient's specific requirements.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enable
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Who better to enable than Matas Buzelis, a prized upstart who’s already requested that the staff coach him like an All-Defensive player.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In late September, China signed a decree enabling the country’s government to retaliate against countries that implement discriminatory bans, restrictions or other measures targeting Chinese operators, vessels or crew.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Oct. 2025
Their team's expertise in DHI, Sapphire FUE, and Unique FUE procedures can enable them to customize each surgery to the patient's specific requirements.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enable
Cite this Entry
“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enable. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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