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
Routine processing time is four to six weeks, and expedited service is two to three weeks, according to the Department of State website.
—Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Experts say the outlandish idea galvanized Arab negotiators and regional mediators to expedite a peace process.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin said the incident may expedite security enhancements that have been planned for the parking lot, including prohibiting parking next to the station.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
As a result, the Royals expedited the arrival of top rookies Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen to the big-league level.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expedite
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Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Experts say the outlandish idea galvanized Arab negotiators and regional mediators to expedite a peace process.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin said the incident may expedite security enhancements that have been planned for the parking lot, including prohibiting parking next to the station.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
As a result, the Royals expedited the arrival of top rookies Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen to the big-league level.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 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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