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
"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
It’s meant to effectuate the mandates in both of those constitutional amendments, and those are permanent rights.
From Slate • Oct. 18, 2025
The court, however, did not affirm Xinis' ruling in full, writing that her call for the administration to "effectuate" Abrego Garcia's return may have overstepped her authority.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025
They are against militarism and for any reasonable plan to effectuate peace.
From Woodrow Wilson as I Know Him by Tumulty, Joseph P.
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.
