del

¹ American  

[del] / dɛl /

1. (in names of Spanish derivation) a contraction of de and the article el:

   Estanislao del Campo.

2. (in names of Italian derivation) a contraction of di and the article il: Giovanni del Monte.

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del ² American  

[del] / dɛl /

noun

Mathematics.

1. a differential operator. ∇

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del. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. delegate; delegation.

2. delete; deletion.

3. delineavit.

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Del. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Delaware.

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Del. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Delaware

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del. ² British  

abbreviation

1. delegate

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del ³ British  

/ dɛl /

noun

1.  ∇.  Also called: nabla.  maths the differential operator i (∂/∂ x ) + j (∂/∂ y ) + k (∂/∂ z ), where i , j , and k are unit vectors in the x , y , and z directions

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Etymology

Origin of del

First recorded in 1900–05; short form of delta

Example Sentences

“There are high-level clinics in San José del Cabo,” he said.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Council District 11 includes neighborhoods near the shore, such as Venice, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey and Playa Vista.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

San José del Cabo, a coastal city in Mexico, is more convenient and better equipped for tourism.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Ricardo del Pino, 67, was severely ill when he arrived at the shelter last summer, according to Josué Martínez Leal, one of its directors.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

What defense would Milagro del Mar have against that?

From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer