deliver
Americanverb (used with object)
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delivers,
present (3rd person singular)
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delivered,
past participle, past
-
delivering
present participle
-
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.
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to strike or throw.
to deliver a blow.
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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.
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to assist at the birth of.
The doctor delivered the baby.
-
to give birth to.
She delivered twins at 4 a.m.
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to disburden (oneself ) of thoughts, opinions, etc.
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to make known; assert.
verb (used without object)
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delivers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
delivered,
past participle, past
-
delivering
present participle
-
to give birth.
-
to provide a delivery service for goods and products.
The store delivers free of charge.
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to do or carry out as promised.
an ad agency known for delivering when a successful campaign is needed.
adjective
verb
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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
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to hand over, transfer, or surrender
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(often foll by from) to release or rescue (from captivity, harm, corruption, etc)
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(also intr)
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to aid in the birth of (offspring)
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to give birth to (offspring)
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(usually foll by of) to aid or assist (a female) in the birth (of offspring)
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to give birth (to offspring)
-
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to utter or present (a speech, oration, idea, etc)
-
deliver the goods See deliver
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to utter (an exclamation, noise, etc)
to deliver a cry of exultation
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to discharge or release (something, such as a blow or shot) suddenly
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to cause (voters, constituencies, etc) to support a given candidate, cause, etc
can you deliver the Bronx?
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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
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deliverabilitynoun
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deliverernoun
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misdeliververb (used with object)
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outdeliververb (used with object)
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predeliververb (used with object)
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deliverableadjective
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undeliveredadjective
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well-deliveredadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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deliversimple
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deliverssimple
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have deliveredperfect
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has deliveredperfect
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am deliveringprogressive
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are deliveringprogressive
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is deliveringprogressive
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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
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The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
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The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3
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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.
See Examples For:
It also partners with CVS, Macy’s and Target to deliver a range of convenience items.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
The executives went on to say they still expect to deliver between 90 and 100 of the company’s 787 Dreamliner planes, but deliveries will likely be closer to the lower end of that range.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
While GSK has made oncology a priority area, its push isn’t expected to deliver material sales until the end of the decade, analysts at RBC Capital Markets wrote in a recent note to clients.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
"As we simplify HSBC, we are creating greater capacity to invest, grow and deliver strong returns for our shareholders," Elhedery said Tuesday.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
Ama took us here to find the legendary hero Benefo, just so he could betray us and deliver us to Nansi with same-day shipping.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
DoorDash, the popular service that delivers meals and retail items to customers’ doors, is in talks to acquire grocery delivery platform Instacart, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
“We continue to believe that our score delivers tremendous value relative to what we charge,” the company’s CEO said in 2024.
From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2026
A small device that delivers gentle electrical pulses through the ear could offer a new approach to treating stubborn high blood pressure.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Rincón’s sister, Mariana Rincón, delivers food, medication and industry trade magazines to his cell every week as she seeks his release.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
She delivers a terse speech from a raised dais, and when it comes time to take our oaths to the Empire, I only know to stand because everyone around me does.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
In 2022 Nicola Sturgeon, then Scotland’s first minister, delivered a formal apology on behalf of the government to the deceased.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
The editors prevailed, and within the story he delivered a sentence that struck deep within the heart of every loyal and long-suffering Angels fan.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
In the latest quarter, the company delivered a net 406,000 postpaid phone additions, its strongest 3Q performance in five years, Schulman says on a call with analysts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
A recent pullback in bond yields has delivered an added boost by making the dividends these stocks pay out more attractive in comparison.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
“This was to be delivered to a general’s house last night,” she said, handing it back to him.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
"We're delivering high-quality, safe aircraft, and so I expect that stabilization period will last the balance of this year into early next year," Ortberg said on CNBC.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
Even Lorén’s voice got a workout on the title track “Libertad,” delivering her highest belts yet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
By delivering mild electrical signals to nerves in the ear, researchers hope to influence the body's natural mechanisms for regulating blood pressure without requiring an invasive procedure.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
But this time there might be a delay in delivering Boyd herself.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
Powell would pretend he was a messenger delivering important medicine from Seward’s doctor.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
