effectuate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- effectuation noun
- uneffectuated adjective
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.
“The board’s only credible path forward is to engage and work with me, one of lululemon’s largest shareholders, to effectuate substantial change,” Wilson said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
It’s meant to effectuate the mandates in both of those constitutional amendments, and those are permanent rights.
From Slate • Oct. 18, 2025
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
She added that while "the number of people who have federal offences are very low, a pardon at the federal level doesn't effectuate the kind of record clearance we want to see".
From BBC • Dec. 22, 2023
The general purpose of the loan is to effectuate the objects of the voyage and the safety of the ship.
From Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman by Bolles, Albert Sidney
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.
