effectuate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of effectuate
1570–80; < Medieval Latin effectuātus brought to pass (past participle of effectuāre ), equivalent to Latin effectu-, stem of effectus effect ( effect ) + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
To effectuate is to produce a result or make something happen. Effectuating accomplishes things. Things that have an effect make something happen: they're significant in some way. Similarly, to effectuate is to cause something to happen or set it up so something can happen. A doctor who effectuates a cure has found a cure. A general who effectuates an attack has made the attack happen. Some people think computers effectuate a short attention span, meaning the short attention span is caused by computers. Effectuating is about cause and effect.
Vocabulary lists containing effectuate
This Week in Words: August 11 - 17, 2018
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The Milagro Beanfield War
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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.
And so I think that he enjoys that a lot on a personal level, but also on a presidential level as someone who wants to effectuate change.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026
"Going forward, U.S. engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to effectuate our withdrawal and to safeguard the health and safety of the American people," they added.
From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026
Developing a new interpretive model can push communities to articulate a constitutional vision and think about what structural changes are necessary to effectuate that vision.
From Slate • May 8, 2024
It's part of the reason why I'm in policy school right now because I needed to understand how laws are made, how people actually effectuate change.
From Salon • Mar. 16, 2024
In 1369, John V. Palaeologus, under heavy pressure of the Turks, renewed overtures of reconciliation, and to effectuate his purpose, he even became a Catholic.
From The Prince of India — Volume 01 by Wallace, Lewis
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.
