enumerate

verb

enu·​mer·​ate i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt How to pronounce enumerate (audio)
enumerated; enumerating

transitive verb

1
: to ascertain the number of : count
2
: to specify one after another : list
enumerative
i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrā-tiv How to pronounce enumerate (audio)
-ˈn(y)üm-rə-
-ˈn(y)ü-mə-rə-
adjective

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The Meaning of Enumerate Gets Specific

In a census year, the U.S. government attempts to enumerate every single citizen of the country—a task that, even in the modern era of technology, isn't truly possible. Medical tests often require the enumeration of bacteria, viruses, or other organisms to determine the progress of a disease or the effectiveness of a medication. Despite its numer- root, you don't have to use numbers when enumerating. For students of government and law, the "enumerated powers" are the specific responsibilities of the Congress, as listed in the U.S. Constitution; these are the only powers that Congress has, a fact that the Tenth Amendment makes even more clearly.

Examples of enumerate in a Sentence

Let me enumerate my reasons for doing this. I proceeded to enumerate the reasons why I would be justified in filing a lawsuit for negligence.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some fundamental rights are enumerated in the Constitution: freedom of speech, the right to a jury trial, and so on. Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025 That was Joe Biden’s strategy for three years that only produced the immense casualties enumerated above. John Seiler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 The Snakes on a Plane star said that Willis enumerated several examples to help clarify his point. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025 Musk, who heads Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, orchestrated a mass email to federal employees Saturday asking them to reply with approximately five bullet points enumerating their achievements last week. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enumerate

Word History

Etymology

Latin enumeratus, past participle of enumerare, from e- + numerare to count, from numerus number

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enumerate was in 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enumerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enumerate. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

enumerate

verb
enu·​mer·​ate i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt How to pronounce enumerate (audio)
enumerated; enumerating
1
: to find out the number of : count
2
: to list one after another
enumeration noun

More from Merriam-Webster on enumerate

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