effectuate

verb

ef·​fec·​tu·​ate i-ˈfek-chə-ˌwāt 

-chü-ˌāt

effectuated; effectuating; effectuates

transitive verb

formal : to cause or bring about (something) : to put (something) into effect or operation : effect sense 2

… the insured or depositor relies on the insurer or bank to effectuate his wishes …

—William M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

… emphasizing the importance of institutions in effectuating good works …

—Aaron Wildavsky

effectuation

i-ˌfek-chə-ˈwā-shən 

-chü-ˈā-

noun

The defendant may waive effectuation of these rights, provided the waiver is made voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently.

—Irving R. Kaufman

Synonyms

• cause
• create
• bring
• generate
• prompt
• do
• produce

Examples of effectuate in a Sentence

the hope that the greater social interaction between members of the different classes will effectuate greater school spirit

Recent Examples on the Web

Cook has asked the court to block Trump’s firing from going into effect and bar other Fed governors from helping effectuate it to preserve the status quo as the lawsuit progresses. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 4 Sep. 2025

Legal experts suggested Brann’s ruling, while abnormal, attempted to effectuate what Congress intended under the statute, rather than what is actually written in it. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2025

There are a lot of things that determine just when a lunar mission will fly—the readiness of the spacecraft, the training of the crew, the availability of naval forces to effectuate recovery, the relative positions of the Earth and the moon when a launch is planned, and more. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Aug. 2025

In contrast, Kathy Hochul maximized the role of the lieutenant governor to effectuate meaningful change for the people of New York. —Christine C. Quinn, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed (with addition of -ate entry 4) from Middle French effectuer, affectuer, borrowed from Medieval Latin effectuāre, verbal derivative of Latin effectus "achievement, result, effect entry 1"

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for effectuate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

effectuate

verb

ef·​fec·​tu·​ate i-ˈfek-chə-ˌwāt 

effectuated; effectuating

formal

: bring about