EXPEDIENT


Meaning of EXPEDIENT in English

(~s)

1.

An ~ is an action that achieves a particular purpose, but may not be morally right.

Surgical waiting lists were reduced by the simple ~ of striking off all patients awaiting varicose vein operations...

N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of -ing

2.

If it is ~ to do something, it is useful or convenient to do it, even though it may not be morally right.

Governments frequently ignore human rights abuses in other countries if it is politically ~ to do so.

ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf

Collins COBUILD.      Толковый словарь английского языка для изучающих язык Коллинз COBUILD (международная база данных языков Бирмингемского университета) .