expedite
Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
verb
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to hasten the progress of; hasten or assist
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to do or process (something, such as business matters) with speed and efficiency
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rare to dispatch (documents, messages, etc)
adjective
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unimpeded or prompt; expeditious
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alert or prepared
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has expeditedperfect 3rd person singular
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have expeditedperfect
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have been expeditingperfect progressive
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are expeditingprogressive
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has been expeditingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am expeditingprogressive 1st person singular
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is expeditingprogressive 3rd person singular
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expeditessingular 3rd person
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expeditingparticiple
Past
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had expeditedperfect
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had been expeditingperfect progressive
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expeditedparticiple
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were expeditingprogressive plural
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was expeditingprogressive singular
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expeditedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of expedite
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin expedītus (past participle of expedīre “to disengage, set the feet free”), equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + ped- (stem of pēs ) foot + -ītus adjective suffix ( see -ite 2)
Explanation
To expedite something is to make it go faster or speed up the process. Expediting that package might get it to Alaska by tomorrow, instead of next Tuesday. If someone says, "Let me expedite the process," that's probably a good thing: they're offering to speed things up. If you've ever waited in line a long time, then you must have wished someone could expedite things. A driver can expedite his commute by going in the faster car-pool lane. Whenever there's a lot of paperwork for something, it's nice to know someone who can expedite the process. When you see the word expedite, think "Make faster!"
Vocabulary lists containing expedite
Grade 10, List 5
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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This Week in Words: April 1 - 6, 2018
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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 nonprofit Project Expedite Justice calls for including Indigenous people at the center of conservation efforts with equal decision-making authority.
From Salon • Sep. 4, 2022
Expedite the process, and if you need to check how you look, glance in the mirror while, say, you’re brushing your teeth.
From Washington Post • Feb. 25, 2022
"Low altitude alert. Climb immediately. Climb the airplane. Maintain 5,000. Expedite the climb. Climb the airplane please," the controller added.
From Fox News • Oct. 13, 2021
May Expedite Asian Asset Resolution The thorn of contention between the board and key investors has been the sloppy way in which Yahoo’s Asian assets have been dealt with.
From Forbes • Jan. 19, 2012
"Expedite the divorce—you can do so if you will—and I am your fast friend."
From Windsor Castle by Ainsworth, William Harrison
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.
