deliver
verb (used with object)
to carry and turn over (letters, goods, etc.) to the intended recipient or recipients.
had been delivering
-
past perfect progressiveof deliver.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
The U.S. had been delivering much-needed supplies to the British via trans-Atlantic convoys since the start of the war.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
The Los Angeles Times found that the federal government’s pumping facility had been delivering less water because of routine maintenance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2025
Bridge had been delivering his speech inside prisons throughout Pennsylvania for months before Drinks heard him speak.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 19, 2023
Mr. Wang had been delivering cargo and selling cheap stainless steel cookware, barely covering inventory costs.
From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2023
Jamie’s first job out of Duke University had been delivering sailboats to rich people up and down the East Coast.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
