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
This trim comes with a three-year subscription to Super Cruise driver assistance tech, which enable hands-free driving.
—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Last year, Amazon Autos recruited the dealership group to list its inventory online, enabling customers to virtually kick the tires, finance and buy with the click of a button.
—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The technology was built on GlobalFoundries’ commercial 45 nm silicon-on-insulator manufacturing platform at the company’s New York fabrication facility, enabling secure domestic production for aerospace and defense applications.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
25 June 2026
Worse, military leaders are enabling him.
—
Jon Duffy,
Mercury News,
25 June 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.
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Last year, Amazon Autos recruited the dealership group to list its inventory online, enabling customers to virtually kick the tires, finance and buy with the click of a button.
—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
The technology was built on GlobalFoundries’ commercial 45 nm silicon-on-insulator manufacturing platform at the company’s New York fabrication facility, enabling secure domestic production for aerospace and defense applications.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
25 June 2026
Worse, military leaders are enabling him.
—
Jon Duffy,
Mercury News,
25 June 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 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
