enumerate

verb

enu·​mer·​ate i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt 

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 

-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.

Synonyms

• detail
• itemize
• list
• numerate
• recite
• reel off
• rehearse
• tick (off)

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

In that Dazed piece, writer Halima Jibril reported that these guys are suddenly catnip on the meat market, enumerating the social and political reasons why women are drawn to them. —Josh Greenblatt, WIRED, 17 July 2024

Lesson for Marketers: Your product or service may be amazing, but don’t expect enumerating its features and benefits to be persuasive. —Roger Dooley, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Chu then enumerated on school, and broomsticks, and connections. —Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024

Although this use of quantum media—media that count, quantify or enumerate—to more closely monitor the watchman’s activities seemed to work for several nights, he was eventually found sleeping in the engine room, having attached the pedometer to a piston rod. —Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

enumerate

verb

enu·​mer·​ate i-ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt 

enumerated; enumerating

1

: to find out the number of : count

2

: to list one after another

enumeration

-ˌn(y)ü-mə-ˈrā-shən 

noun