ensure

[ en-shoor, -shur ]

verb (used with object)

, en·sured, en·sur·ing.

1. to secure or guarantee:

   This letter will ensure you a hearing.

2. to make sure or certain:

   measures to ensure the success of an undertaking.

3. to make secure or safe, as from harm.

   Synonyms: safeguard, guard, protect

4. insure ( defs 1, 2, 3 ).

ensure

/ -ˈʃɔː; ɛnˈʃʊə /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to make certain or sure; guarantee

   this victory will ensure his happiness

2. to make safe or secure; protect

Derived Forms

• enˈsurer, noun

Other Words From

• en·surer noun
• unen·sured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensure¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ensuren, from Anglo-French enseurer; en- ¹( def ), sure ( def )

Example Sentences

He highlighted the increased costs for councils from inflation, wages and demand for local services and urged the minister to ensure they did not have to close libraries, cut bus routes or reduce road repairs as a result.

From BBC

To ensure authenticity, the series, from Fuzzytown Productions and Spiffy Pictures, involved neurodiverse people at all levels of production from the actors to the writers to the show’s advisers.

From Los Angeles Times

The extensive treatment and purification process, in addition to testing, will ensure that the drinking water will be “incredibly safe once it’s pumped out and served to our customers,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Gonzalez said the DWP will soon open a small demonstration facility at the department’s complex near Griffith Park to develop treatment technologies and monitoring methods that ensure protection of public health.

From Los Angeles Times

As for future water recycling projects, Winter said she thinks Los Angeles should focus on developing various smaller-scale facilities to ensure redundancy, rather than planning to rely on a large centralized system that she argues would be vulnerable to failure due to an earthquake or other hazards.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assure
• establish
• insure
• protect
• provide
• safeguard
• secure