enabled; enabling
i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to provide with the means or opportunity
training that enables people to earn a living
b
: to make possible, practical, or easy
a deal that would enable passage of a new law
c
: to cause to operate
software that enables the keyboard
2
: to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to
a law enabling admission of a state
Did you know?
Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler
Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.
Examples of enable in a Sentence
The machine enables us to create copies without losing quality.
The system enables students to access class materials online.
These choices are part of what enabled the company to be successful.
a filing system that enables easy access to information
Be sure to enable your computer's firewall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Immediate emergency interim approval of additional rate is essential to more closely align cost and risk and enable State Farm General to rebuild capital.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Trump and Musk's decisions are being enabled by their allies in Congress (and potentially by the courts, though that still mostly remains to be seen).
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
This breakthrough functionality enables teams to capture full contact information by scanning virtually anything: conference badges, paper business cards, social media QR codes, other digital business cards and more.
—Partner Content, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025
For over 20 years, Giants of Africa has focused on fostering community and cultivating belief through basketball, and this collaboration further amplifies their shared purpose of enabling individuals to achieve greatness and pursue their dreams.
—Essence, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enable 
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David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Trump and Musk's decisions are being enabled by their allies in Congress (and potentially by the courts, though that still mostly remains to be seen).
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
This breakthrough functionality enables teams to capture full contact information by scanning virtually anything: conference badges, paper business cards, social media QR codes, other digital business cards and more.
—Partner Content, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025
For over 20 years, Giants of Africa has focused on fostering community and cultivating belief through basketball, and this collaboration further amplifies their shared purpose of enabling individuals to achieve greatness and pursue their dreams.
—Essence, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enable
Dictionary Entries Near enable
Cite this Entry
“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enable. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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