apply

verb

ap·ply | \ ə-ˈplī

applied; applying

Definition of apply

transitive verb

1a : to put to use especially for some practical purpose He applies pressure to get what he wants.

b : to bring into action apply the brakes

c : to lay or spread on apply varnish

d : to put into operation or effect apply a law

2 : to employ diligently or with close attention You should apply yourself to your work.

intransitive verb

1 : to have relevance or a valid connection This rule applies to freshmen only.

2 : to make an appeal or request especially in the form of a written application apply for a job

Other Words from apply Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about apply

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Examples of apply in a Sentence

For further information, apply to the address below. I applied in writing to several different companies. You must have a high school diploma for this job. High school dropouts need not apply. After applying a thin layer of paint to the wall and letting it dry, apply another coat. We applied the ointment to the cut. I washed my face and applied fresh makeup. Fertilizer was applied to the lawn every two weeks.

Recent Examples on the Web

These Terms of Service apply to all users of the site, including without limitation users who are browsers, vendors, customers, merchants, and/ or contributors of content. — nybooks.com, "Terms of service," 17 June 2019 This would be achieved in two ways, including executive orders and actions (taking Barack Obama’s playbook for climate policy and applying it much more aggressively) that would bypass Congress. — The Economist, "The Democratic front-runners respond to the Green New Deal," 14 June 2019 And this didn’t just apply to poor, single mothers with limited education and limited opportunities. — Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, "Can Elizabeth Warren Win It All?," 14 June 2019 In 2017, when the House voted to make the Hyde amendment permanent and apply it to Obamacare, only three Democrats supported it. — John Mccormack, National Review, "Is the Hyde Amendment Safe After All?," 13 June 2019 Google Express is running an even better deal on the 4K-capable console, down to $349 with a coupon that automatically applies itself at checkout. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, "The best Father’s Day deals that you can buy last minute," 12 June 2019 But applying it to companies one by one would require lawsuits, thus adding to the legal battles the companies are already waging. — Margot Roosevelt, latimes.com, "Uber, Lyft say making drivers employees would ‘pose a risk to our businesses’," 12 June 2019 Dancing also requires the ability to take criticism and apply it. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Art and space: 'A quest never to end'," 12 June 2019 The parliament must still approve the measure, though Sierra Leone’s attorney general has ordered judges to start applying it already. — Washington Post, "5-year-old girl paralyzed by rape shocks Sierra Leone," 9 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apply.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.