enumerate

play

verb enu·mer·ate \ i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt \

Definition of enumerate

enumerated; enumerating

transitive verb

1 :to ascertain the number of :count

2 :to specify one after another :list

—

enumeration

play \i-ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈrā-shən\ noun

—

enumerative

play \i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrā-tiv, -ˈn(y)üm-rə-, -ˈn(y)ü-mə-rə-\ adjective

See enumerate defined for English-language learners

See enumerate defined for kids

Examples of enumerate in a Sentence

Let me enumerate my reasons for doing this.
I proceeded to enumerate the reasons why I would be justified in filing a lawsuit for negligence.

Recent Examples of enumerate from the Web

The violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, have turned a spotlight on the freedom of speech — one of the first rights enumerated in the U.S. Constitution, and one of the messiest.

— sharon cohen, The Seattle Times, "Strange bedfellows: The ACLU, free speech and Neo-Nazis," 15 Aug. 2017
This attempt to alter and destroy historical monuments, markers, street names, schools and the like violates the very foundation of free speech as enumerated in the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights.

— sylvia koutsodontis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hollywood shouldn't be renaming streets," 15 Aug. 2017
Matt Harmon of NFL.com (@MattHarmon_BYB) lit warning flares in early August, enumerating the reasons why Gurley wasn’t worthy of a top-five pick.

— pat fitzmaurice, SI.com, "Los Angeles Rams Fantasy Football 2017 Preview: Forgive and Forget Todd Gurley," 2 Aug. 2017
For residents who don’t respond to the agency’s initial invitation to fill out the form, census takers might have to visit a single address half-a-dozen times in the hopes of enumerating its residents.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "Researchers think they’ve found a much better way to conduct the 2030 U.S. census," 25 July 2017
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio voters will decide this November whether to strengthen crime victims' rights enumerated in the state constitution by voting on Marsy's Law for Ohio.

— jackie borchardt, cleveland.com, "Marsy's Law for Ohio crime victims ballot initiative approved for November ballot," 17 July 2017
That August, the feudal system and tithes were abolished and the Declaration of the Rights of Man enumerated the principles of the revolution.

— merrill fabry, Time, "The Surprisingly Peaceful History of Bastille Day Celebrations," 13 July 2017
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, FIRE, has an online database that enumerates all the speakers who have been disinvited to speak on college campuses since 2000.

— sapna rampersaud, National Review, "North Carolina’s Legislature Seeks to Protect Free Speech on Campus," 11 July 2017
Though fines were not enumerated nor cure periods spelled out, the ideas were discussed.

— steve sadin, chicagotribune.com, "Deerfield ordinance seeks to address light disputes between neighbors," 10 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enumerate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.