enable

verb

en·able | \ i-ˈnā-bəl

enabled; enabling\ i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ

Essential Meaning of enable

1 : to make (someone or something) able to do or to be something 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.

2 : to make (something) possible, practical, or easy a filing system that enables easy access to information The proposed tax will enable [=facilitate] the hiring of more police officers.

3 technical : to cause (a feature or capability of a computer) to be active or available for use Be sure to enable your computer's firewall.

Full Definition of enable

transitive verb

1a : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler More Example Sentences Learn More About enable

Synonyms & Antonyms for enable

Synonyms

Antonyms

prevent

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 In contrast, Reingold expects his staff to enable intimacy for all residents, including those with dementia, while also protecting people from unwanted touch. — New York Times, 12 Jan. 2022 Ryan said the city is exploring alternative funding sources to enable wireless service through the next fiscal year. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2022 To enable Level 3 autonomy, Volvo’s forthcoming EV will be outfitted with one lidar scanner, five radar units, eight cameras, and 16 ultrasonic sensors. — Tim De Chant, Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2022 The union will work on a set of guidelines to enable secure communication between each other’s smart-home platforms. — Gear Team, Wired, 6 Jan. 2022 Volvo has a new engine that is turbocharged and supercharged to enable performance on demand while minimizing fuel consumption. — WSJ, 6 Jan. 2022 Simulations suggest that the magnetic field of 20 T is enough to enable SPARC to achieve net energy from fusion. — Melanie Windridge, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 The nuclear option was invoked by Democrats in 2013 to allow most nominees to be confirmed with a simple majority, and then by Republicans in 2017 to enable Supreme Court nominees to be confirmed with 51 votes. — Grace Segers, The New Republic, 5 Jan. 2022 Samsung says its hope to enable functionality for the second SIM slot by launch day, January 11. — Sascha Segan, PCMAG, 4 Jan. 2022

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.