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

Members of their groups have suggested doctors to help expedite diagnosis and treatment plans or advised ways to cope with the effects of the condition. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

DeSantis, a Republican, has prioritized Everglades restoration and pushed to expedite the reservoir’s construction during his two terms in office. —Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

The Los Angeles City Council is set to meet today for its first session of the new year following a three-week recess, with agenda items expected to include expediting the rebuilding of Pacific Palisades, responding to federal immigration enforcement actions, and increasing city revenue. —City News Service, Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026

Carlsbad’s city manager declared a local emergency Wednesday to expedite repairs to a storm drain system on an ocean bluff eroded by recent rains. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 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

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Kids Definition

expedite

verb

ex·​pe·​dite ˈek-spə-ˌdīt 

expedited; expediting

: to speed up the process or progress of