send

1 of 2

verb

ˈsend 

sent ˈsent  ; sending

transitive verb

1

: to cause to go: such as

a

: to propel or throw in a particular direction

b

: deliver

sent a blow to the chin

c

: drive

sent the ball between the goalposts

2

: to cause to happen

whatever fate may send

3

: to dispatch by a means of communication

4

a

: to direct, order, or request to go

b

: to permit or enable to attend a term or session

send a daughter to college

c

: to direct by advice or reference

d

: to cause or order to depart : dismiss

5

a

: to force to go : drive away

b

: to cause to assume a specified state

sent them into a rage

6

: to cause to issue: such as

a

: to pour out : discharge

clouds sending forth rain

b

: utter

send forth a cry

c

: emit

sent out waves of perfume

d

: to grow out (parts) in the course of development

a plant sending forth shoots

7

: to cause to be carried to a destination

especially : to consign to death or a place of punishment

8

: to convey or cause to be conveyed or transmitted by an agent

sent out invitations

9

: to strike or thrust so as to impel violently

sent him sprawling

10

: delight, thrill

intransitive verb

1

a

: to dispatch someone to convey a message or do an errand

—often used with out

send out for pizza

b

: to dispatch a request or order

—often used with away

2

: transmit

sender noun

send

2 of 2

noun

: the lift of a wave : scend

Phrases

send for

: to request by message to come : summon

send packing

: to send off or dismiss roughly or in disgrace

Synonyms

Verb

• consign
• dispatch
• pack (off)
• ship
• shoot
• transfer
• transmit
• transport

Examples of send in a Sentence

Verb

Satellites receive signals in space and send them back to Earth.

When you write to him, please send him my very best wishes.

He became ill and was sent home from school.

She sent the kids to bed immediately after supper.

He was sent to prison for armed robbery.

The company sent me to the conference.

“There is a Ms. Jones here to see you.” “Send her in.”

He was sent on a secret mission.

They sent a limo to pick her up at the airport.

He asked us to send a taxi for him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2021, University of Arizona researchers proposed a concept to send an ark filled with 335 million sperm and egg samples to the moon. —Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024

The Indianapolis Fire Department’s dive team was dispatched at 8:35 p.m. April 16 and sent boats into the river near West New York and Limestone streets west of downtown Indianapolis. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English sendan; akin to Old High German sendan to send, Old English sith road, journey, Old Irish sét path, way

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1726, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing send

• send a chill/shiver up/down someone's spine
• send away for (something)
• send away to (someone) for (something)
• send down
• send for
• send forth
• send in
• send-off
• send off for (something)
• send on
• send out
• send out for (something)
• send packing
• send shivers/chills up (and down) someone's spine
• send (someone) sprawling
• send to the gallows
• send up
• send word

Kids Definition

send

verb

ˈsend

sent

ˈsent

; sending

1

: to cause to go

sent the pupil home

sent a message

especially : to set in motion by physical force

sent the ball into right field

send a rocket to the moon

2

: to cause to happen

whatever fate may send

3

: to put or bring into a certain condition

sent them into a rage

4

a

: to cause someone to pass a message on or do an errand

—often used with out

send out for lunch

b

: to dispatch a request or order

—often used with away

sent away for skates

sender noun