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The Meaning of Enumerate Gets Specific
In a census year, the U.S. government attempts to enumerate every single citizen of the country—a task that, even in the modern era of technology, isn't truly possible. Medical tests often require the enumeration of bacteria, viruses, or other organisms to determine the progress of a disease or the effectiveness of a medication. Despite its numer- root, you don't have to use numbers when enumerating. For students of government and law, the "enumerated powers" are the specific responsibilities of the Congress, as listed in the U.S. Constitution; these are the only powers that Congress has, a fact that the Tenth Amendment makes even more clearly.
Synonyms
Examples of enumerate in a Sentence
Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023
As the years progress and Madonna acquires the icon mantle, Gabriel is intent on enumerating every recording session, video shoot and world tour in great detail, making this book a slog at times.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2023
Backpage ads in the physical copy of The Epoch Times enumerate the possibilities: internet shows, podcasts, weekly magazines and documentaries.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2023
After the court established judicial review in United Mizrahi Bank, its justices, especially Barak, further elaborated the process of evaluating the constitutionality of legislation that might conflict with the values enumerated in the Basic Laws.
—Joshua Leifer, The New York Review of Books, 11 May 2023
These enumerated four main principles: Schools shall respect all students; parents have the right to make decisions about their children; schools shall serve the needs of all students; and schools shall partner with parents.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
Books Talking to Victor LaValle about ‘The Changeling’ and the horror of parenthood, H.P. Lovecraft and more
July 27, 2017
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The viewer never assumes for a moment that any of this is in her head, even as the narration enumerates the psychic effects of long-term sleep deprivation.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Willis enumerates the many reasons why the federal government in all its forms has refrained from interfering in local prosecutions.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2023
To workers and their families, suffering has far-reaching consequences that are hard to enumerate.
—Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 30 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enumerate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Latin enumeratus, past participle of enumerare, from e- + numerare to count, from numerus number
1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near enumerate
Cite this Entry
“Enumerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enumerate. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
enumerate
verb
More from Merriam-Webster on enumerate
Nglish: Translation of enumerate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of enumerate for Arabic Speakers
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