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
Overall, the system aims to prioritize safety, enable worker collaboration, and maintain regulatory compliance without limiting work areas.
—
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
In addition to the engines, the propulsion system also includes generators and a battery pack that enable the owner to choose the most efficient cruising mode for the situation.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead of enabling opportunity, government too often stands in the way.
—Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
Though prediction markets enable users to buy event contracts for a wide swath of financial, weather, pop culture and other events, sports have been driving the action and the profits.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for enable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
In addition to the engines, the propulsion system also includes generators and a battery pack that enable the owner to choose the most efficient cruising mode for the situation.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead of enabling opportunity, government too often stands in the way.
—Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
Though prediction markets enable users to buy event contracts for a wide swath of financial, weather, pop culture and other events, sports have been driving the action and the profits.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
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 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
