enable

verb

en·​able i-ˈnā-bəl 

enabled; enabling i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

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.

Synonyms

• allow
• empower
• let
• permit

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

Translated, money’s sole purpose is as an agreement about value among wealth producers that enables them to exchange wealth of roughly equal value with each other. —John Tamny, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

Solutions like these improve health and education outcomes, empower women, and enable families to thrive, transforming their futures. —Matt Damon, TIME, 22 Mar. 2025

So what was happening 100 years ago that enabled so many elegant properties to thrive? —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2025

All of a sudden, thousands of people in Maine were speaking out against the state's laws that enable trans inclusion in girls sports and locker rooms, all with the backing of the president. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for enable

• able
• chaebol
• fable
• label
• sable
• stabile
• stable
• table
• allocable
• educable
• integrable
• purchasable

Kids Definition

enable

verb

en·​able in-ˈā-bəl 

enabled; enabling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to make able

glasses enable you to read

b

: to make possible, practical, or easy

2

: to give legal power or permission to