expedite
Americanverb (used with object)
-
expedites,
present (3rd person singular)
-
expedited,
past participle, past
-
expediting
present participle
adjective
verb
-
to hasten the progress of; hasten or assist
-
to do or process (something, such as business matters) with speed and efficiency
-
rare to dispatch (documents, messages, etc)
adjective
-
unimpeded or prompt; expeditious
-
alert or prepared
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
expeditesimple
-
expeditessimple
-
have expeditedperfect
-
has expeditedperfect
-
am expeditingprogressive
-
are expeditingprogressive
-
is expeditingprogressive
-
have been expeditingperfect progressive
-
has been expeditingperfect progressive
Past
-
expeditedsimple
-
had expeditedperfect
-
was expeditingprogressive
-
were expeditingprogressive
-
had been expeditingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of expedite
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin expedītus (past participle of expedīre “to disengage, set the feet free”), equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + ped- (stem of pēs ) foot + -ītus adjective suffix ( see -ite 2)
Explanation
To expedite something is to make it go faster or speed up the process. Expediting that package might get it to Alaska by tomorrow, instead of next Tuesday. If someone says, "Let me expedite the process," that's probably a good thing: they're offering to speed things up. If you've ever waited in line a long time, then you must have wished someone could expedite things. A driver can expedite his commute by going in the faster car-pool lane. Whenever there's a lot of paperwork for something, it's nice to know someone who can expedite the process. When you see the word expedite, think "Make faster!"
Vocabulary lists containing expedite
Grade 10, List 5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: April 1 - 6, 2018
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Rather, analysts said they expected Beijing to expedite the issuance of government bonds to accelerate public expenditure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
With their sense of smell, search dogs expedite rescue efforts by quickly inspecting large areas, Parada said, which is crucial given that the chances of finding people alive decrease as the initial 72-hour window passes.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
In its lawsuit, Posillico made explicit that it did not contest the use of waivers to expedite construction of the wall.
From Salon ● May 25, 2026
Michele Hanisee has been doing everything in her power to expedite the arduous process of rebuilding her Altadena home.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026
First, Kappe hinted that something was soon going to happen that would expedite a plan he and his office had been working on for some time.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
Airlines have worked with the agency to develop a biometric process that expedites verification.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025
For her, the intention of Please Be Nice is to make pool accessible to young women: “It’s a community cheering for each other and seeing each other get good. It expedites people’s learning.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2024
"This expedites the process of healing, allowing the body to move forward with tissue repair and recovery," Brown says.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 11, 2024
Following the ruling, Flynn's attorney, David Warrington, said that Scriven acknowledged the potential for harming Flynn if the committee expedites its document deadline.
From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2021
I warn you that your release only expedites his arrest; for you can never pass beyond my surveillance; and the day you hasten to him, seals his fate.
From At the Mercy of Tiberius by Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)
But through an expedited process, a single member of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee saw fit to delay the ban, according to people familiar with the inner workings of the reversal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
State-owned newspaper al-Ahram said several suspects believed to have taken part in the plot were detained and referred for an expedited criminal trial.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The Supreme Court said in a statement posted on its website that "permission to appeal is granted", with an expedited hearing expected sometime between October to December.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
“I look forward to an expedited closing and the proposed buyer delivering on their commitments.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
“Ravenel Approach, this is Marine 657. I have a fire warning light. Request penetration and vector for expedited landing. Over.”
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
"Whilst councils are being forced into damaging cuts, we are also expediting service transformation, which must be recognised as we begin to consider our role and expectations in public service reform," he added.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Let’s hope the new leadership understands the importance of expediting treatments for deadly and rare diseases.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026
She did not answer questions about the donor’s role in expediting the funding or Noem’s relationship with him.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2025
As people lined up so officials could review their identification and resumes, current and former law enforcement personnel were routed into a separate line, with the goal of expediting their path.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2025
Weaver brought the blind request to Raymond Fosdick, disguised as a grant application “for expediting the construction of the giant cyclotron, and for the purchase of certain associated equipment.”
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
