expedite
verb
ex·pe·dite
ˈek-spə-ˌdīt 
expedited; expediting
1
: to accelerate the process or progress of : speed up
2
: to execute promptly
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
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
The original parole programs were put in place to expedite family reunification for Cubans and Haitians.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
In response, Canadian officials have announced a path to expedited permanent residency for overseas doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience, aiming to address the critical workforce gap.
—Ahmad Mukhtar, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Includes expedited entry, premium seating and a merchandise/food and beverage voucher.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 10 Dec. 2025
What’s Next Diana told Newsweek that the family did not know when Owen would be deported, but that the Dutch embassy was working to expedite the process for his well-being.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expedite
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Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
In response, Canadian officials have announced a path to expedited permanent residency for overseas doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience, aiming to address the critical workforce gap.
—Ahmad Mukhtar, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Includes expedited entry, premium seating and a merchandise/food and beverage voucher.
—Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 10 Dec. 2025
What’s Next Diana told Newsweek that the family did not know when Owen would be deported, but that the Dutch embassy was working to expedite the process for his well-being.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expedite
Cite this Entry
“Expedite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expedite. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expedite
verb
ex·pe·dite
ˈek-spə-ˌdīt
expedited; expediting
: to speed up the process or progress of
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