expedite
verb
ex·pe·dite
ˈek-spə-ˌdīt 
expedited; expediting
1
: to accelerate the process or progress of : speed up
2
: to execute promptly
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
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
While Lee and Hauswald prepare to roll out their vision, Houston, the City Council member, has not backed down from his push to expedite clearings of tents and RVs.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
The city declared a local emergency to expedite its response.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Our immigration system can and should be modernized to use existing technology to expedite background checks and documentation so immigrants can become citizens through a transparent, lawful process.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Stitt's proposal, as presented, could completely end the marijuana industry in Oklahoma, even as the federal government is expediting its own attempt to reschedule the drug.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expedite
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Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
The city declared a local emergency to expedite its response.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Our immigration system can and should be modernized to use existing technology to expedite background checks and documentation so immigrants can become citizens through a transparent, lawful process.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Stitt's proposal, as presented, could completely end the marijuana industry in Oklahoma, even as the federal government is expediting its own attempt to reschedule the drug.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expedite
Cite this Entry
“Expedite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expedite. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expedite
verb
ex·pe·dite
ˈek-spə-ˌdīt
expedited; expediting
: to speed up the process or progress of
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