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
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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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SDSU also is pushing for the RFP (request for proposal) process that could enable the university to build its own stadium.
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That ambition has been enabled by two things: oil and absolute monarchs.
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The new generation of missiles uses solid fuels, enabling them to be rolled out from mountain hideaways and launched in minutes.
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Technology is supposed to enable its staff to locate militant activity online, anywhere in the world, within seconds.
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But the change also enabled Lester to face against Clayton Kershaw in Sunday's series finale in an attempt to take advantage of the Dodgers' .244 batting average against lefties (compared to their .264 mark against right-handers).
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A big reason is declines in other causes of death — particularly heart disease and cancer — are enabling more people to live long enough to die from Alzheimer’s, experts say.
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As the coach who enabled Auburn to look Alabama in the eye in the 1980s for the first time in decades, the coach who wrestled the Iron Bowl out of Legion Field and took it to campus, he's earned that right.
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A two-run scoring single by Reisner and an error enabled MGM to score two runs in the fifth inning to take back the lead, 3-2.
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.
15th Century
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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