expedite
Americanverb (used with object)
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expedites,
present (3rd person singular)
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expedited,
past participle, past
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expediting
present participle
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
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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expeditesimple
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expeditessimple
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have expeditedperfect
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has expeditedperfect
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am expeditingprogressive
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are expeditingprogressive
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is expeditingprogressive
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have been expeditingperfect progressive
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has been expeditingperfect progressive
Past
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expeditedsimple
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had expeditedperfect
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was expeditingprogressive
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were expeditingprogressive
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had been expeditingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
"Additionally, our study suggests potential therapeutic opportunities to expedite this process, such as repurposing drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors, which have shown promise in reducing inflammation and promoting immune-mediated clearance of senescent cells in obesity."
From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026
Officials called on the federal government to expedite $2 billion needed to make L.A. traffic-ready for the 2028 Games.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026
The agency said in April that it has also streamlined internal processes to expedite death penalty cases.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
The agency will use its technology to identify conditions from the compassionate allowances list so that it can expedite claims processing.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
Three members of the RJF Committee—Einarsson, Thorarinsson, and Sverrisson—traveled to Japan to see if they could find a way to expedite Fischer’s release.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Airlines have worked with the agency to develop a biometric process that expedites verification.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025
It expedites the procedures for hiring outreach workers and public safety employees tasked with staffing shelters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2025
"This expedites the process of healing, allowing the body to move forward with tissue repair and recovery," Brown says.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 11, 2024
Following the ruling, Flynn's attorney, David Warrington, said that Scriven acknowledged the potential for harming Flynn if the committee expedites its document deadline.
From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2021
Babylon from here, As I was forced to take my devious way, Is a long journey of two hundred leagues; And gathering in one's debts is not--at best, A task that expedites a traveller's steps.
From The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Both cases are expected to reach the state Supreme Court on expedited appeals.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
Graves said that Public Counsel filed its complaint with the California Education Department because it can carry out an expedited complaint process in as little as 60 days.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Officials at the court say the appeal will be expedited - which means it will be heard after the summer break.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
The Supreme Court said in a statement posted on its website that "permission to appeal is granted", with an expedited hearing expected sometime between October to December.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Full custody to the state, with a recommendation that the adoption by the McCulloughs be expedited.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
The first three came with men on base, expediting the damage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
"Whilst councils are being forced into damaging cuts, we are also expediting service transformation, which must be recognised as we begin to consider our role and expectations in public service reform," he added.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
The debate is testing the limits of California’s statewide push to accelerate housing development by rewarding construction and expediting permitting processes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 18, 2026
“I’m expediting state funds for food banks and directing the California National Guard and California Volunteers to help distribute this food to families,” Newsom said in an Oct.
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2025
Weaver brought the blind request to Raymond Fosdick, disguised as a grant application “for expediting the construction of the giant cyclotron, and for the purchase of certain associated equipment.”
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
