enable

[en-ey-buhl]

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verb (used with object), en·a·bled, en·a·bling.

to make able; give power, means, competence, or ability to; authorize: This document will enable him to pass through the enemy lines unmolested.
to make possible or easy: Aeronautics enables us to overcome great distances.
to make ready; equip (often used in combination): web-enabled cell phones.

Origin of enable

Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at en-¹, able

Related formsen·a·bler, nounpre·en·a·ble, verb (used with object), pre·en·a·bled, pre·en·a·bling.

Synonyms for enable

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1. empower, qualify, allow, permit.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for enabled

empower, facilitate, implement, permit, license, prepare, fit, invest, warrant, commission, qualify, let, approve, sanction, ready, endow, condition, accredit, capacitate

Examples from the Web for enabled

Contemporary Examples of enabled

That enabled the same plot of land—and the same amount of water—to produce a much larger crop.
Growth Stocks
The Daily Beast
October 17, 2014
The Sopranos happened at a time when the Internet was here, was with us, and I think it enabled a land grab to take place.
The Director Isn’t Done Yet: An Interview With Steven Soderbergh
Andrew Romano
August 1, 2014
And that enabled me to slot in the shooting of the first two episodes [of The Divide] in that.
Tony Goldwyn Tackles Political Scandal Again on ‘The Divide’
Jason Lynch
July 16, 2014
Although this enabled the King of Pop to launch his own career, Michael wrote Joe out of his will.
Selena Gomez, Macaulay Culkin, and More Stars Who Divorce Their Parents
Marina Watts
April 12, 2014
I seemed to have hit it off with the studio and the producers, and I felt encourage, and enabled.
Marc Webb Takes Us Inside ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ and Discusses His Rise to the A-List
Marlow Stern
March 15, 2014

Historical Examples of enabled

His long habit of thought concerning her enabled him to master this foolishness.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Him, his own high-born pupil was enabled to unmask, and his disgrace was visited on me.
Night and Morning, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
The half-minute or so of talk had enabled him to regain his breath.
The Rock of Chickamauga
Joseph A. Altsheler
But this order has been given to you that the traitors may be enabled to leave the town.
The Black Tulip
Alexandre Dumas (Pere)
Has he been enabled to travel in his suite as far as Venice?
Albert Durer
T. Sturge Moore

British Dictionary definitions for enabled

enable

verb (tr)

to provide (someone) with adequate power, means, opportunity, or authority (to do something)
to make possible
to put (a digital electronic circuit element) into an operative condition by supplying a suitable input pulse

Derived Formsenablement, nounenabler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for enabled

enable

early 15c., "to make fit;" mid-15c., "to make able to," from en- (1) "make, put in" + able. Related: Enabled; enabling.