expedite
verb
ex·pe·dite
ˈek-spə-ˌdīt 
expedited; expediting
1
: to accelerate the process or progress of : speed up
2
: to execute promptly
Did you know?
Need someone to do something in a hurry? You can tell that person to step on it—or you can tell them expedite it. Figurative feet are involved in both cases, though less obviously in the second choice. Expedite comes from the Latin verb expedire, meaning “to free from entanglement” or “to release (a person) especially from a confined position.” The feet come in at that word’s root: it traces back to Latin ped- or pes, meaning “foot.” Expedient and expedition also stepped into English by way of expedire.
Examples of expedite in a Sentence
During the fire season they wear a semblance of uniform intended to expedite the rush when the siren howls …
—
Tom Harpole, Air & Space, August/September 1993
Overnight he found himself coordinating the train and ship schedules and expediting the loading and unloading of 15,000 officers and men …
—Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
This final phase was never actually completed because of the need to expedite an airmobile force to Vietnam.
—Shelby L. Stanton, Anatomy of a Division, 1987
After the war its leaders were stigmatized as collaborators and accused of helping to expedite the murderous work of the Nazis.
—Bernard Wasserstein, New York Times Book Review, 24 May 1987
Tom Harpole, Air & Space, August/September 1993
Overnight he found himself coordinating the train and ship schedules and expediting the loading and unloading of 15,000 officers and men …
—Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
This final phase was never actually completed because of the need to expedite an airmobile force to Vietnam.
—Shelby L. Stanton, Anatomy of a Division, 1987
After the war its leaders were stigmatized as collaborators and accused of helping to expedite the murderous work of the Nazis.
—Bernard Wasserstein, New York Times Book Review, 24 May 1987
Recent Examples on the Web
These plans, in some cases, involve expediting shipments out of countries expected to see higher costs and relocating some production.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Senators voted 83-12 to advance the $895 billion annual defense policy package, setting up a vote on final passage by Wednesday, absent a time agreement that would expedite getting the package over the finish line.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
Shortly after, at around 40,000 years ago, Neanderthals faced extinction, likely expedited by humans' arrival.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Environmental organizations and state agencies hope to prove the concept that abandoned mine cleanups would be expedited if partner organizations were protected from liability under the Clean Water Act.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for expedite 
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Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Senators voted 83-12 to advance the $895 billion annual defense policy package, setting up a vote on final passage by Wednesday, absent a time agreement that would expedite getting the package over the finish line.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
Shortly after, at around 40,000 years ago, Neanderthals faced extinction, likely expedited by humans' arrival.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Environmental organizations and state agencies hope to prove the concept that abandoned mine cleanups would be expedited if partner organizations were protected from liability under the Clean Water Act.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for expedite
Dictionary Entries Near expedite
Cite this Entry
“Expedite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expedite. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expedite
verb
ex·pe·dite
ˈek-spə-ˌdīt
expedited; expediting
: to speed up the process or progress of
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