deliver

[ dih-liv-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to carry and turn over (letters, goods, etc.) to the intended recipient or recipients:

   to deliver mail;

   to deliver a package.

   Synonyms: yield, cede, transfer

2. to give into another's possession or keeping; surrender:

   to deliver a prisoner to the police;

   to deliver a bond.

3. to bring (votes) to the support of a candidate or a cause.
4. to give forth in words; utter or pronounce:

   to deliver a verdict;

   to deliver a speech.

   Synonyms: publish, proclaim, announce, communicate

5. to give forth or emit:

   The oil well delivers 500 barrels a day.

6. to strike or throw:

   to deliver a blow.

7. to set free or liberate:

   The Israelites were delivered from bondage.

   Synonyms: release, emancipate

   Antonyms: confine

8. to release or save:

   Deliver me from such tiresome people!

   Synonyms: rescue, redeem

9. to assist (a female) in bringing forth young:

   The doctor delivered her of twins.

10. to assist at the birth of:

    The doctor delivered the baby.

11. to give birth to:

    She delivered twins at 4 a.m.

12. to disburden (oneself ) of thoughts, opinions, etc.
13. to make known; assert.

verb (used without object)

1. to give birth.
2. to provide a delivery service for goods and products:

   The store delivers free of charge.

3. to do or carry out as promised:

   an ad agency known for delivering when a successful campaign is needed.

adjective

1. Archaic. agile; quick.

deliver

/ dɪˈlɪvə /

verb

1. 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

2. often foll byover or up to hand over, transfer, or surrender
3. often foll by from to release or rescue (from captivity, harm, corruption, etc)
4. also intr
   1. to aid in the birth of (offspring)
   2. to give birth to (offspring)
   3. usually foll by of to aid or assist (a female) in the birth (of offspring)
   4. passivefoll byof to give birth (to offspring)
5. to utter or present (a speech, oration, idea, etc)
6. deliver the goods See deliver
7. to utter (an exclamation, noise, etc)

   to deliver a cry of exultation

8. to discharge or release (something, such as a blow or shot) suddenly
9. to cause (voters, constituencies, etc) to support a given candidate, cause, etc

   can you deliver the Bronx?

10. deliver oneself of
    to speak with deliberation or at length

    to deliver oneself of a speech

11. deliver the goods informal.
    to produce or perform something promised or expected

Derived Forms

• deˈliverer, noun
• deˌliveraˈbility, noun
• deˈliverable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·liver·er noun
• misde·liver verb (used with object)
• outde·liver verb (used with object)
• prede·liver verb (used with object)
• unde·livered adjective
• well-de·livered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliver¹

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” ( liberate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of deliver¹

C13: from Old French delivrer, from Late Latin dēlīberāre to set free, from Latin de- + līberāre to free

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with deliver , also see signed, sealed, and delivered .

Example Sentences

“We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night.”

From Los Angeles Times

This comes amid renewed international efforts for a ceasefire, with American officials delivering the first official proposal of a deal to Lebanese authorities.

From BBC

Now I’m much more confident in myself and the way that I deliver anything.”

From Los Angeles Times

How destructive his term will be remains unknowable, but his helter-skelter, vengeance-fueled approach to wielding power may have the ironic effect of impeding his ability to deliver on his more radical promises.

From Salon

One retailer cancelled our order but three accepted, and couriers delivered the knives days later without the need for a signature.

From BBC

Related Words

• bear
• bring
• convey
• distribute
• drop
• give
• hand
• hand over
• pass
• transport