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Definition of enable
enabled
;enabling
play \i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ\transitive verb
1a : to provide with the means or opportunity training that enables people to earn a livingb : to make possible, practical, or easy a deal that would enable passage of a new lawc : 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
Explore Merriam-Webster
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 of enable from the Web
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They're less known for the business empire that's enabled that wealth: Koch Industries.
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And for those who had lost an entire arm, motors at shoulder level enabled people to lift their arms above their head.
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This platform of social change enables children to play, learn and develop, and communities around the world can benefit.
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Practically everyone has mobile phones, and cheap Internet access has enabled most Vietnamese city dwellers to get online.
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Coffee was pretty much a character on Gilmore Girls, thanks to Luke Danes of Luke's Diner for enabling Lorelai and Rory Gilmore's coffee addiction on the daily.
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In addition, the Senate bill would phase out funding for the expansion of Medicaid, which enabled 3.8 million single, childless adults and others in the state to qualify.
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Citi enables us to see the world from a financial standpoint.
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On the other hand, curse Apple and Netflix for enabling us to condition our kids into thinking that's the best way to spend their free time!
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enable'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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.
First Known Use of enable
15th century
ENABLE Defined for English Language Learners
enable
playDefinition of enable for English Language Learners
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: to make (someone or something) able to do or to be something
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: to make (something) possible, practical, or easy
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: to cause (a feature or capability of a computer) to be active or available for use
ENABLE Defined for Kids
enable
playDefinition of enable for Students
enabled
;enabling
: to give strength, power, or ability to : make able A good night's sleep enabled me to face the day refreshed.
Learn More about enable
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See words that rhyme with enable Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for enable Spanish Central: Translation of enable Nglish: Translation of enable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of enable for Arabic speakers
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