deliver
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to carry and turn over (letters, goods, etc.) to the intended recipient or recipients.
to deliver mail;
to deliver a package.
-
to give into another's possession or keeping; surrender.
to deliver a prisoner to the police;
to deliver a bond.
-
to bring (votes) to the support of a candidate or a cause.
-
to give forth in words; utter or pronounce.
to deliver a verdict;
to deliver a speech.
- Synonyms:
- publish, proclaim, announce, communicate
-
to give forth or emit.
The oil well delivers 500 barrels a day.
-
to strike or throw.
to deliver a blow.
-
to set free or liberate.
The Israelites were delivered from bondage.
- Synonyms:
- release, emancipate
- Antonyms:
- confine
-
to release or save.
Deliver me from such tiresome people!
-
to assist (a female) in bringing forth young.
The doctor delivered her of twins.
-
to assist at the birth of.
The doctor delivered the baby.
-
to give birth to.
She delivered twins at 4 a.m.
-
to disburden (oneself ) of thoughts, opinions, etc.
-
to make known; assert.
verb (used without object)
-
to give birth.
-
to provide a delivery service for goods and products.
The store delivers free of charge.
-
to do or carry out as promised.
an ad agency known for delivering when a successful campaign is needed.
adjective
verb
-
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
-
to hand over, transfer, or surrender
-
(often foll by from) to release or rescue (from captivity, harm, corruption, etc)
-
(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)
-
to give birth (to offspring)
-
-
to utter or present (a speech, oration, idea, etc)
-
deliver the goods See deliver
-
to utter (an exclamation, noise, etc)
to deliver a cry of exultation
-
to discharge or release (something, such as a blow or shot) suddenly
-
to cause (voters, constituencies, etc) to support a given candidate, cause, etc
can you deliver the Bronx?
-
to speak with deliberation or at length
to deliver oneself of a speech
-
informal to produce or perform something promised or expected
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
deliverabilitynoun
-
deliverernoun
-
deliverableadjective
-
undeliveredadjective
-
well-deliveredadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
deliversimple
-
deliverssimple
-
have deliveredperfect
-
has deliveredperfect
-
am deliveringprogressive
-
are deliveringprogressive
-
is deliveringprogressive
-
have been deliveringperfect progressive
-
has been deliveringperfect progressive
Past
-
deliveredsimple
-
had deliveredperfect
-
was deliveringprogressive
-
were deliveringprogressive
-
had been deliveringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of deliver
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)
Explanation
Whether you deliver a package, a baby, or a promise, you're bringing or carrying out something that was expected. The Post Office and UPS deliver packages, but a doctor helps deliver a baby: in that case, the doctor is helping the baby get born safely. If you promise to get an A and then you do, you delivered on your promise. Religious people ask God to deliver them from sin. Politicians often have to deliver — meaning give — speeches. In just about every case, deliver refers to something positive that's being moved, fulfilled, rescued, or carried out.
Vocabulary lists containing deliver
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Much-touted films to completely miss out in every category are the Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere and Daniel Day-Lewis's comeback, after eight years away from acting, Anemone.
From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026
The 46-year-old is now a best-selling author after recounting his experiences in his book "I Deliver Parcels in Beijing".
From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026
“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” captures the making of the singer’s skeletal acoustic album “Nebraska” and his battles with depression.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025
That Bruce Springsteen wouldn’t have existed without the one we meet in the new biopic from director Scott Cooper, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” released October 24.
From Salon • Oct. 28, 2025
When Turner slipped into “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” Lizzie began to tap her knee.
From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
