enable

[ en-ey-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, en·a·bled, en·a·bling.

1. to make able; give power, means, competence, or ability to: Students with vision impairments are enabled in the classroom with magnifiers and screen reader software.

   This document will enable him to pass through the enemy lines unmolested.

   Students with vision impairments are enabled in the classroom with magnifiers and screen reader software.

   Synonyms: permit, allow, qualify, empower

2. to make possible or easy:

   Aeronautics enables us to overcome great distances.

3. to encourage or support (the bad or dysfunctional behavior) of (someone): You enable drug users when you shield them from the consequences of their actions.

   The university enabled years of abuse by ignoring complaints against the coach.

   You enable drug users when you shield them from the consequences of their actions.

4. Digital Technology.
   1. to make (a device, system, or feature) active or functional; turn on:

      The automatic snapshot feature is enabled by default.

   2. to equip for an extended, peripheral, or premium use:

      to enable your laptop for wireless internet access.

enable

/ ɪnˈeɪbəl /

verb

1. to provide (someone) with adequate power, means, opportunity, or authority (to do something)
2. to make possible
3. to put (a digital electronic circuit element) into an operative condition by supplying a suitable input pulse

Derived Forms

• enˈabler, noun
• enˈablement, noun

Other Words From

• en·a·bler noun
• pre·en·a·ble verb (used with object) preenabled preenabling

Word History and Origins

Origin of enable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English; en- ¹, able

Example Sentences

This combined data set enabled the team to search for new binaries in clusters with characteristics resembling those of known white dwarf-main sequence pairs.

From Science Daily

Taken together, these features enable the knee bones to maintain smooth contact, even when the joint twists by more than 100 degrees.

From Science Daily

And he hopes that the new laws could enable more kids like him to “get out and do the things they love” instead of feeling pressured to be online.

From BBC

"Importantly, our strategy enables early identification of people at high risk for developing heart dysfunction, allowing for timely interventions to prevent further loss of heart function."

From Science Daily

Prosecutors said he played a small role in the fraud and did not create the computer code that enabled it.

From Salon

Related Words

• empower
• facilitate
• implement
• permit
• set up