deed

1 of 2

noun

ˈdēd 

1

: something that is done

evil deeds

did my good deed for the day

2

: a usually illustrious act or action : feat, exploit

a hero's daring deeds

3

: the act of performing : action

righteous in word and in deed

4

: a signed and usually sealed instrument (see instrument entry 1 sense 5) containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract

gave them the deed to the house

deedless

ˈdēd-ləs 

adjective

deed

2 of 2

verb

deeded; deeding; deeds

transitive verb

law

: to convey or transfer by a signed instrument containing a legal transfer, bargain, or contract : to convey or transfer by deed (see deed entry 1 sense 4)

deeded the house to her son

Synonyms

Noun

• feat

Verb

• transfer
• cede
• convey
• assign
• relinquish
• bequeath
• donate
• lease
• alien

Examples of deed in a Sentence

Noun

They taught their children to be kind and to do good deeds.

News of their heroic deeds spread far and wide.

It's too late now. The deed is done.

The land was transferred by deed.

He gave them the deed to the property.

Verb

She deeded the house to her children.

the philanthropist unexpectedly deeded his entire fortune to the animal shelter

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Any advice on how to do this without craziness? – No Good Deed Dad Dear Dad: Sometimes good deeds need good parameters and, yes, consequences. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 21 June 2025

Homes built under the program should carry 20-year deed restrictions with only primary occupants having the ability to buy and sell. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025

Verb

The women, who have partnered on previous projects, are proposing to remake the office building with 247 residential units deed restricted for families earning 30% to 80% of the area median income, or what’s considered affordable housing. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025

Land with no clear owner The lack of a clear will or deed often happens due to inadequate access to – and distrust of – the legal system. —Rusty Smith, The Conversation, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dede, from Old English dǣd; akin to Old English dōn to do

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1758, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deed

• deed poll
• quitclaim deed
• title deed
• warranty deed

Rhymes for deed

• bead
• bleed
• brede
• breed
• cede
• creed
• feed
• freed
• greed
• heed
• keyed
• knead

Kids Definition

deed

1 of 2 noun

ˈdēd 

1

: something that is done : act

we are judged by our deeds

2

: a legal document by which one person transfers land or buildings to another

deed

2 of 2 verb

: to transfer by deed

Legal Definition

deed

1 of 2 noun

1

: something done : act sense 1

my free act and deed

2

: a written instrument by which a person transfers ownership of real property to another see also deliver, grantee, grantor, recording act, registry, title compare certificate of title

Note: A deed must be properly executed and delivered in order to be effective. Additionally, the grantor must have freely intended to make the transfer at the time of the conveyance. Deeds are recorded at the local registry of deeds to give notice of ownership.

— bargain and sale deed

: a contract resulting from a bargain between a buyer and a seller of real property that creates a use in the buyer and therefore transfers title to the buyer by operation of law

: a deed in which the grantor makes no warranties of title to the grantee

— deed-in-lieu \ -​in-​ˈlü \

: deed in lieu of foreclosure in this entry

— deed in lieu of foreclosure

: a deed from a mortgagor conveying title to the mortgaged property to the mortgagee in payment of the debt

Note: Deeds in lieu of foreclosure are sometimes used as an alternative to foreclosure.

— deed of trust

: an instrument securing a debt in which a debtor conveys the legal ownership of real property to a trustee to be held in trust for the benefit of the creditor or to be sold upon the debtor's default to pay the debt : a mortgage with a power of sale

called also trust deed

— master deed

: a deed that submits the land described therein to the provisions of a state's law regarding condominiums and sets out various information (as about the units, common areas, bylaws, and rights of the owners) as required under state law compare declaration of condominium at declaration sense 4

— quitclaim deed

: a deed that grants only whatever title or interest the grantor had to the property without any warranty as to the title

: special warranty deed in this entry compare warranty deed in this entry

— sheriff's deed

: a deed given to a buyer of property purchased at a sheriff's sale

— special warranty deed

: a deed in which the property transferred is warranted to be free of all liens or encumbrances made by, through, or under the grantor but not otherwise

— tax deed

: a deed evidencing the transfer of title acquired by the grantee as purchaser of property at a tax sale compare tax certificate

— trust deed

: deed of trust in this entry

— unit deed

: a deed conveying a condominium unit

— warranty deed

: a deed warranting that the grantor has a good title free and clear of all encumbrances and will defend the grantee against all claims compare quitclaim deed and special warranty deed in this entry

deed

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to convey by deed