reenable

Reenable is a verb meaning to enable something again after it has been disabled. It is formed from the prefix re- meaning again and the verb enable. The term can also appear as re-enable, though many style guides accept reen able as a single word; usage varies by publication and region.

In computing and information technology, reenable describes restoring functionality that was previously turned off. Common contexts include reactivating a feature flag, a user account, a device, or a service after maintenance, a fault, or a policy change. In user interfaces, a control may be reenabled after prerequisite actions are completed or after security checks are satisfied. In broader usage, it can refer to restoring access or capability that was temporarily restricted.

Usage notes and considerations: choosing between re-enable and reen able often depends on house style; some guides prefer the hyphenated form, others prefer the closed form. When documenting procedures, it is helpful to specify what was disabled, the reason for disabling, and the conditions required for re-enabling. In security contexts, re-enabling may trigger audits or re-authentication to ensure compliance with policies.

See also: enable, disable, enablement, reactivation, restoration.