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• del
  del

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

  abbreviation

  delegate; delegation.
• Del.
  Del.

  abbreviation

  Delaware.

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

See Examples For:

del del. Del.

Almost since its 1882 inception—Gaudí inherited the project a year later from the neo-Gothically inclined Francisco de Paula del Villar—the world’s longest-running construction project has been an object of irritation, admiration and parody.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

A landmark of sorts in La Guaira is El Rey del Pescado, a family-owned seaside restaurant that dates back almost seven decades.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

An aerial view of the Obras del Poder Popular complex in Caraballeda.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

It came in a 5-2 win over Getafe in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on 18 April 2007.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

“And I have a surprise. I’ve arranged for a private visit at the Sinagoga del Tránsito, which dates from before 1492. It’s been restored and is now the Museo Sefardí.”

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Joutel del., from a photograph by the author.

From Lamarck, the Founder of Evolution His Life and Work by A. S. (Alpheus Spring) Packard

Del. Delaware; Delegate. del., delt., delineavit='He drew it,' put after the draftsman's name on an engraving. demon.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Williams del. and sculpt.Published by W. Marsden, 1810.

From The History of Sumatra Containing An Account Of The Government, Laws, Customs And Manners Of The Native Inhabitants by William Marsden

Am. del. on economics and reparation clauses; economic adviser for the Am.

From The Mirrors of Washington by John Kirby

"F. Bonneville del. et sculpsit" is its whole history.

From The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. II. (of II) With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England by Moncure Daniel Conway

In Rehoboth Beach, Del., Beach patrol captain Jeff Giles said the shades were simply taking up too much space on the town’s relatively narrow swaths of sand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026

During opening remarks, she told Brendan Shannon, the Wilmington, Del., judge overseeing the case, that she and her friends flocked there for piercings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2025

Shortly after, the White House announced Biden had tested positive for COVID-19, and was headed to his Rehoboth Beach, Del., home to rest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2024

Del. Jared Solomon, a bill sponsor, said lawmakers were careful to make sure the measure is not meant to moderate available content.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2024

“To the right. Yeah, Cousin Del. Now angle it toward the window. Yeah. Keep angling.”

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia