put

¹put

verb \ˈpu̇t\

putput·ting

Definition of PUT

transitive verb

1

a : to place in a specified position or relationship : lay <put the book on the table>

b : to move in a specified direction

c (1) : to send (as a weapon or missile) into or through something : thrust (2) : to throw with an overhand pushing motion <put the shot>

d : to bring into a specified state or condition <a reapportionment … that was put into effect at the September primaries — Current Biography>

e : to prescribe a specified regimen for —usually used with on <put her on medication> <put him on a diet>

2

a : to cause to endure or suffer something : subject <put traitors to death>

b : impose, inflict <put a special tax on luxuries>

3

a : to set before one for judgment or decision <put the question>

b : to call for a formal vote on <put the motion>

4

a (1) : to convey into another form <want to put my feelings into words> (2) : to translate into another language or style <put the poem into English> (3) : adapt <lyrics put to music>

b : express, state <putting it mildly>

5

a : to devote (oneself) to an activity or end <put himself to winning back their confidence>

b : apply <put her mind to the problem>

c : assign <put them to work>

d : to cause to perform an action : urge <put the horse over the fence>

e : impel, incite <put them into a frenzy>

6

a : repose, rest <puts his faith in reason>

b : invest 1 <put her money in the company>

7

a : to give as an estimate <put the time as about eleven>

b : attach, attribute <puts a high value on their friendship>

c : impute <put the blame on the partners>

8

: bet, wager <put $2 on the favorite>

intransitive verb

1

: to start in motion : go; especially : to leave in a hurry

2

of a ship : to take a specified course <put down the river>

— put forth

1

a : assert, propose

b : to make public : issue

2

: to bring into action : exert

3

: to produce or send out by growth <put forth leaves>

4

: to start out

— put forward

: propose <put forward a theory>

— put in mind

: remind

— put one's finger on

: identify <put his finger on the cause of the trouble>

— put one's foot down

: to take a firm stand

— put one's foot in one's mouth

: to make a tactless or embarrassing blunder

— put paid to

chiefly British

: to finish off : bring an end to

— put the arm on or put the bite on

: to ask for money

— put the finger on

: to inform on <put the finger on … heroin pushers — Barrie Zwicker>

— put the make on

: to make sexual advances toward

— put to bed

: to make the final preparations for printing (as a newspaper)

— put together

1

: to create as a unified whole : construct

2

: add, combine

— put to it

: to give difficulty to : press hard <had been put to it to keep up>

Examples of PUT

1. Put the car in the garage.
2. I put the keys on the table.
3. He put his arms around her and held her tight.
4. He fell and accidentally put his hand through a window.
5. The illness put her in the hospital for three days.
6. They put her in prison for forgery.
7. Her parents decided to put her in a special school for deaf children.
8. If she drove 55 mph for 20 minutes, that would put her about halfway there by now.
9. Don't forget to put your signature on the check.
10. He put his phone number on a napkin.

Origin of PUT

Middle English putten; akin to Old English putung instigation, Middle Dutch poten to plant

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to PUT

Synonyms

depose, deposit, dispose, emplace, fix, lay, position, place, set, set up, situate, stick

Antonyms

remit

Related Words

move, rearrange, reorder, shift; orient; establish, locate, plant, settle; clap, flop, plank, plop, plump, plunk (or plonk), plunk down, slap; ensconce, niche; assemble, collect; carry; berth, park; affix, anchor, lock, lodge, wedge; array, lay out, line up, queue, rank; set down

Near Antonyms

relocate, remove, take; banish; dislodge, displace, replace, supersede, supplant

²put

noun

Definition of PUT

1

: a throw made with an overhand pushing motion; specifically : the act or an instance of putting the shot

2

: an option to sell a specified amount of a security (as a stock) or commodity (as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified time — compare call 3d

First Known Use of PUT

14th century

³put

adjective

Definition of PUT

: being in place : fixed, set <stay put until I call>

First Known Use of PUT

1841