enabled; enabling
i-ˈnā-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to provide with the means or opportunity
training that enables people to earn a living
b
: to make possible, practical, or easy
a deal that would enable passage of a new law
c
: to cause to operate
software that enables the keyboard
2
: to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to
a law enabling admission of a state
Did you know?
Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler
Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.
Examples of enable in a Sentence
The machine enables us to create copies without losing quality.
The system enables students to access class materials online.
These choices are part of what enabled the company to be successful.
a filing system that enables easy access to information
Be sure to enable your computer's firewall.
Recent Examples on the Web
With this agreement, YouTube TV will continue to offer 100-plus channels and add-ons including Paramount+ and will enable more user choice in the future.
—
Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
But there is a risk that his team's aggressive efforts could lead to the failure of government computer systems and enable Musk and his partners to profit off private information maintained by the government.
—Fatima Hussein and Josh Boak The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
These experiences have enabled André to establish thriving ventures like Pennington Law and Universal Wealth.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Colorado, the latest state to set up a FAIR plan, will focus almost exclusively on the provision of insurance in areas where wildfire risk is high, enabling the state’s affluent citizens to live where fire is a constant danger.
—Stephen Mihm, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enable 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
But there is a risk that his team's aggressive efforts could lead to the failure of government computer systems and enable Musk and his partners to profit off private information maintained by the government.
—Fatima Hussein and Josh Boak The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
These experiences have enabled André to establish thriving ventures like Pennington Law and Universal Wealth.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Colorado, the latest state to set up a FAIR plan, will focus almost exclusively on the provision of insurance in areas where wildfire risk is high, enabling the state’s affluent citizens to live where fire is a constant danger.
—Stephen Mihm, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enable
Dictionary Entries Near enable
Cite this Entry
“Enable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enable. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share