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
Craft is the connective tissue of our history, weaving itself through each iteration and enabling new players to interpret it in novel ways.
—
Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2024
So the game between the Rams and Seahawks at 1:25 p.m. on Sunday at SoFi Stadium will enable Rams coach Sean McVay to possibly rest starters for an NFC wild-card playoff game that the Rams will host.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Getting inside would also enable Georgia Tech to draw more fouls too, as the Yellow Jackets are currently in the fifth percentile in free-throw attempt rate.
16.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
The partnership enables the Pakistani vertical denim manufacturer to provide digital product passports accessed via QR codes to its clients with footprint assessments and supply chain visualizations.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enable 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2024
So the game between the Rams and Seahawks at 1:25 p.m. on Sunday at SoFi Stadium will enable Rams coach Sean McVay to possibly rest starters for an NFC wild-card playoff game that the Rams will host.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Getting inside would also enable Georgia Tech to draw more fouls too, as the Yellow Jackets are currently in the fifth percentile in free-throw attempt rate.
16.
—Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
The partnership enables the Pakistani vertical denim manufacturer to provide digital product passports accessed via QR codes to its clients with footprint assessments and supply chain visualizations.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Dec. 2024
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 8 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share