Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: French
Origin: Latin, present participle of expedire; EXPEDITE

expedient

1 adjective
     
ex‧pe‧di‧ent1
helping you to deal with a problem quickly and effectively although sometimes in a way that is not morally right [≠ inexpedient]:
This solution is politically expedient but may well cause long-term problems.
expedient to do something
We think it is expedient to make a good-will gesture to the new administration.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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