effectuate

American  

[ih-fek-choo-ayt] / ɪˈfɛk tʃuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

effectuated, effectuating

1. to bring about; effect.

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effectuate British  

/ ɪˈfɛktjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to cause to happen; effect; accomplish

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Other Word Forms

• effectuation
  noun
• uneffectuated
  adjective

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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

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

effectuate effectuated effectuating

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

As you mentioned, it was that ambiguity with respect to the "effectuate" term that has since been removed from Judge Xinis' order.

From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2025

To effectuate this design, the text of the 26th Amendment establishes a broad constitutional prohibition on all forms of voting discrimination against adult voters on account of age.

From Slate ● Mar. 26, 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

But how, when the morning came, should he proceed to effectuate his kind intentions?

From Ormond, Volume I (of 3) or, The Secret Witness by Charles Brockden Brown

A White House spokesperson said of the cuts at the time that EI-ISAC’s work no longer effectuated the priorities of the Department of Homeland Security.

From Salon ● May 21, 2026

That metric is called effectuated enrollment, which is viewed as a more accurate reflection of ACA enrollment than sign-ups.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 13, 2026

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, forged in the wake of the Civil War, effectuated what many historians called a Second Founding of our nation.

From Slate ● Feb. 7, 2024

“I am gratified by this commitment. However, the university has not yet effectuated this promise, nor has it explained exactly how and when it will do so.”

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 5, 2022

The Great Depression effectuated a sea change in American race relations and party alignment.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

"It's not just about money; it's also about effectuating some kind of change," Giuffra said, saying any settlement with Cornell would include steps to "protect, educate, support students."

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

His work continued, along with a few others, thanks to support from Murmur, an organization designed to support labels and industry names, effectuating the commitments made when the Music Climate Pact was signed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

“The president considers the seizure of the oil tanker as effectuating the administration’s sanction policies,” Leavitt said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

But they’ve argued that the new text, which would treat any person “responsible for regularly providing any services effectuating transfers of digital assets” as brokers is still too expansive.

From Slate ● Aug. 3, 2021

Bonaparte, after effectuating the peace by means of terror, loaded Austria with flattery.

From Germany from the Earliest Period Volume 4 by Mrs. George Horrocks

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