deliver

[ dih-liv-er ]
See synonyms for: deliverdelivereddeliveringdelivers on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to carry and turn over (letters, goods, etc.) to the intended recipient or recipients: to deliver mail;to deliver a package.

  2. to give into another's possession or keeping; surrender: to deliver a prisoner to the police;to deliver a bond.

  1. to bring (votes) to the support of a candidate or a cause.

  2. to give forth in words; utter or pronounce: to deliver a verdict;to deliver a speech.

  3. to give forth or emit: The oil well delivers 500 barrels a day.

  4. to strike or throw: to deliver a blow.

  5. to set free or liberate: The Israelites were delivered from bondage.

  6. to release or save: Deliver me from such tiresome people!

  7. to assist (a female) in bringing forth young: The doctor delivered her of twins.

  8. to assist at the birth of: The doctor delivered the baby.

  9. to give birth to: She delivered twins at 4 a.m.

  10. to disburden (oneself) of thoughts, opinions, etc.

  11. to make known; assert.

verb (used without object)
  1. to give birth.

  2. to provide a delivery service for goods and products: The store delivers free of charge.

  1. to do or carry out as promised: an ad agency known for delivering when a successful campaign is needed.

adjective
  1. Archaic. agile; quick.

Origin of deliver

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English delivren, from Old French delivrer, from Late Latin dēlīberāre “to set free,” from dē- de- + līberāre “to free” (see liberate)

Other words for deliver

Opposites for deliver

Other words from deliver

  • de·liv·er·er, noun
  • mis·de·liv·er, verb (used with object)
  • out·de·liv·er, verb (used with object)
  • pre·de·liv·er, verb (used with object)
  • un·de·liv·ered, adjective
  • well-de·liv·ered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use deliver in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deliver

deliver

/ (dɪˈlɪvə) /


verb(mainly tr)
  1. to carry (goods, etc) to a destination, esp to carry and distribute (goods, mail, etc) to several places: to deliver letters; our local butcher delivers

  2. (often foll by over or up) to hand over, transfer, or surrender

  1. (often foll by from) to release or rescue (from captivity, harm, corruption, etc)

  2. (also intr)

    • to aid in the birth of (offspring)

    • to give birth to (offspring)

    • (usually foll by of) to aid or assist (a female) in the birth (of offspring)

    • (passive foll by of) to give birth (to offspring)

  3. to utter or present (a speech, oration, idea, etc)

  4. deliver the goods: See deliver (def. 11)

  5. to utter (an exclamation, noise, etc): to deliver a cry of exultation

  6. to discharge or release (something, such as a blow or shot) suddenly

  7. mainly US to cause (voters, constituencies, etc) to support a given candidate, cause, etc: can you deliver the Bronx?

  8. deliver oneself of to speak with deliberation or at length: to deliver oneself of a speech

  9. deliver the goods informal to produce or perform something promised or expected

Origin of deliver

1
C13: from Old French delivrer, from Late Latin dēlīberāre to set free, from Latin de- + līberāre to free

Derived forms of deliver

  • deliverable, adjective
  • deliverability, noun
  • deliverer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with deliver

deliver

In addition to the idiom beginning with deliver

  • deliver the goods

also see:

  • signed, sealed, and delivered

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.