Enable Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms enable American [en-ey-buhl] / ɛnˈeɪ bəl /

verb (used with object)

enabled, enabling

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 British / 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• enablement noun
• enabler noun
• preenable verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of enable

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Now, we are making large strides toward creating a living library of interactive models corresponding to Earth's biodiversity. AI will enable us to explore the diversity of life and share it with the world."

From Science Daily

By the early 2030s, RidgeAlloy could enable recycled structural aluminum castings at volumes equal to at least half of current annual primary aluminum production in the United States.

From Science Daily

It was the closest thing at the time to AI: a mission-critical technology capable of enabling smart, networked warfare and precision strikes.

From The Wall Street Journal

That trend is “enabling larger deals and creating strong customer relationships,” Marshall and Weiss said.

From Barron's

The architecture combines Nvidia’s chips, networking, storage and software solutions into a so-called AI factory, enabling customers to build, deploy and manage large-scale AI workloads.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• empower
• facilitate
• implement
• permit
• set up

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.