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

Did you know?

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.
Bussmann drew comparisons to Starbucks in enumerating the challenges a sportsbook will face when encountering excessive operating costs. Matt Rybaltowski, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 There are too many potential highlights to enumerate here, but here are some of the books scheduled to arrive in the next few months that have my bookworm blood pumping. Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025 The team has learned some lessons about its players, which can be enumerated at a later date, but there is not much more to discover. Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025 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 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

Dictionary Entries Near enumerate

Cite this Entry

“Enumerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enumerate. Accessed 21 Jan. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!