deed

American  

[deed] / did /

noun

1. something that is done, performed, or accomplished; an act.

   Do a good deed every day.

2. an exploit or achievement; feat.

   brave deeds.

3. Often deeds. an act or gesture, especially as illustrative of intentions, one's character, or the like.

   Her deeds speak for themselves.

4. Law. a writing or document executed under seal and delivered to effect a conveyance, especially of real estate.

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verb (used with object)

1. to convey or transfer by deed.

deed British  

/ diːd /

noun

1. something that is done or performed; act

2. a notable achievement; feat; exploit

3. action or performance, as opposed to words

4. law a formal legal document signed, witnessed, and delivered to effect a conveyance or transfer of property or to create a legal obligation or contract

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verb

1. (tr) to convey or transfer (property) by deed

Related Words

See action.

Other Word Forms

• deedless
  adjective
• redeed
  verb (used with object)
• undeeded
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of deed

before 900; Middle English dede, Old English dēd, variant of dǣd; cognate with German Tat, Gothic gadēths; see do ¹

Explanation

A deed is an action that you perform with intent, like turning in a lost wallet you find in a store. Definitely a good deed. The word deed is often used to describe acts of charity but an action doesn’t have to be good to be called a deed — people go to jail for their criminal deeds. Either way, a deed is something done on purpose. It could be difficult, as anyone who after breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend later told friends, "I did the deed," will know. An unrelated meaning of deed is a legal document that shows who owns a building or land.

Example Sentences

Some users online said they used them to invest in stocks, claiming their "lobsters" analysed the best times to buy and sell, and even did the deed, despite the risk of costly errors.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

To return to the historical evidence, the weakening of political and economic institutions is usually enough for the evil deed to be done.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

"We were there very quickly after the deed had been perpetrated," Robertson says.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

She had equity in it that exceeded $100,000 after the deed of trust and all the fees were satisfied.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 7, 2026

Sigurd, the son of Sigmund, does the deed.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• accomplishment
• act
• action
• adventure
• fact
• feat
• reality
• truth