expedite
Americanverb (used with object)
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expedites,
present (3rd person singular)
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expedited,
past participle, past
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expediting
present participle
adjective
verb
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to hasten the progress of; hasten or assist
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to do or process (something, such as business matters) with speed and efficiency
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rare to dispatch (documents, messages, etc)
adjective
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unimpeded or prompt; expeditious
-
alert or prepared
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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expeditesimple
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expeditessimple
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have expeditedperfect
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has expeditedperfect
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am expeditingprogressive
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are expeditingprogressive
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is expeditingprogressive
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have been expeditingperfect progressive
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has been expeditingperfect progressive
Past
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expeditedsimple
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had expeditedperfect
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was expeditingprogressive
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were expeditingprogressive
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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
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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This Week in Words: April 1 - 6, 2018
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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:
It is now calling on the authorities to expedite the proceedings, warning that the latest postponement means the case will enter its 15th year without a trial.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
Technology can expedite a restaurant’s work without necessarily becoming the face — or voice — of the restaurant itself.
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026
But Anwar said last month he would welcome the Myanmar leader to expedite migrant repatriations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
In Carney’s first year in power, he set up an office to expedite the regulatory review of projects deemed to be in the national interest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 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
One company, Wysa, was granted a special designation from the Food and Drug Administration that expedites the process toward approving it as a medical device for people with depression and anxiety related to chronic pain.
From Salon ● Mar. 30, 2025
"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
The bill provides a “more appropriate” timeline to meet the state’s clean energy goals outlined in law and expedites the environmental review and regulatory processes, Lising said.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 18, 2023
Kinds of Committees.—Like all important and numerous legislative bodies, the House of Commons expedites the transaction of the business which devolves upon it through the employment of committees.
From The Governments of Europe by Frederic Austin Ogg
A grand jury, however, might convene only once a month, requiring the need for an expedited procedure.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
Companies are also taking a hard look at pricier expedited orders, calculating whether some customers can wait or even if some can pick up their orders themselves.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
Usually, the league asks for an expedited process from the independent arbitration company which handles disciplinary cases.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
You can’t beat free bags, priority check-in and expedited boarding.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 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
The first three came with men on base, expediting the damage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
"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
Dr. Makary likes to boast that the FDA is becoming more flexible and expediting breakthrough treatments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026
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
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
