expedite

verb

ex·​pe·​dite ˈek-spə-ˌdīt 

expedited; expediting

transitive verb

1

: to accelerate the process or progress of : speed up

2

: to execute promptly

3

: issue, dispatch

Did you know?

Need someone to do something in a hurry? You can tell that person to step on it—or you can tell them expedite it. Figurative feet are involved in both cases, though less obviously in the second choice. Expedite comes from the Latin verb expedire, meaning “to free from entanglement” or “to release (a person) especially from a confined position.” The feet come in at that word’s root: it traces back to Latin ped- or pes, meaning “foot.” Expedient and expedition also stepped into English by way of expedire.

Examples of expedite in a Sentence

During the fire season they wear a semblance of uniform intended to expedite the rush when the siren howls … —Tom Harpole, Air & Space, August/September 1993

Overnight he found himself coordinating the train and ship schedules and expediting the loading and unloading of 15,000 officers and men … —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988

This final phase was never actually completed because of the need to expedite an airmobile force to Vietnam. —Shelby L. Stanton, Anatomy of a Division, 1987

After the war its leaders were stigmatized as collaborators and accused of helping to expedite the murderous work of the Nazis. —Bernard Wasserstein, New York Times Book Review, 24 May 1987

Recent Examples on the Web

Sean Combs’ attorneys have pushed an appeals court to expedite its decision on whether the Bad Boy founder was improperly sentenced following his criminal trial, in hopes of securing his release from prison. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, Dončić is traveling to Europe for specialized medical treatment intended to expedite his return. —Douglas Kezirian, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026

These packages can include reserved seating, venue lounge access, food, expedited entry and other perks, including five-star hotels and transportation to and from events at the highest levels. —Personal Finance Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026

So far, 85 expedited certifications have been approved. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin expeditus, past participle of expedire — see expedient entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for expedite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

expedite

verb

ex·​pe·​dite ˈek-spə-ˌdīt 

expedited; expediting

: to speed up the process or progress of