deed

noun

\ ˈdēd

Definition of deed

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 4) containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract gave them the deed to the house

deed

verb

deeded; deeding; deeds

Definition of deed (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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

Keep scrolling for more

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

So, Hopper does the deed, and then gets dolled up and heads to dinner with Joyce. — Kathryn Lindsay, refinery29.com, "R29 Binge Club: Stranger Things Season 3," 5 July 2019 Most estate planning attorneys are familiar with these types of deeds, so contact your attorney that drafted your estate documents (Last Will & Testament, Revocable Trust, etc.) for information and costs. — orlandosentinel.com, "Check with attorney before early plan payoff," 4 July 2019 After seeing the update from Andrew, fans were overjoyed and began praising Steve for his good deed. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Steve Harvey Did the Most Incredible Thing for an Audience Member Before His Show Was Canceled," 2 July 2019 As if disappearing in the Upside Down in season 1 wasn’t bad enough, in season 2 he is possessed by the Mind Flayer and used for its villainous deeds. — Lauren Huff, EW.com, "Everything you need to remember about Stranger Things before watching season 3," 28 June 2019 Garner is hopeful each post tagged #SparkKindness will prompt more ideas and there will be a momentum of good deeds. — Julie Jordan, PEOPLE.com, "Jennifer Garner Launches Initiative to Inspire Kindness: 'I Can't Wait to See What Happens'," 12 June 2019 Since another part of the lore of Azor Ahai involves him driving a sword through the heart of his true love, this could get extra on the nose, depending on how Jon does the deed. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "'Game of Thrones' Prophecies You Need to Remember Going into the Finale," 19 May 2019 By using your other characters' hacking and combat powers to do good deeds around town on that citizen's behalf. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Watch Dogs Legion gameplay premiere: Taking the “N” out of “NPC”," 10 June 2019 The reverent gentlemen of the cloister, gourmets to a fault, extolled his creations as good deeds shining in the usually rancid world of pastry cookery. — Bruce Dale, National Geographic, "Adored, neglected, and restored: A 1968 Nat Geo feature explored Notre Dame," 17 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The land comprising the cemetery was deeded to the town of Hebron in 1723, by Obadiah Horsford (Hosford), who owned a home across the street. — courant.com, "Group Works To Restore Graves At Wall Street Cemetery," 24 June 2019 The brewery’s owner Eugene Simor later deeded the Cherry Street tract to Meyer. — Joshua Fechter, ExpressNews.com, "Hays Street bridge land will become a park after years-long fight," 13 June 2019 Sussex’s attorney argued that the land should not have been deeded to Tempe as part of a deal, but instead auctioned off to the highest bidder. — Richard Ruelas, azcentral, "Tempe 'squatter' Steve Sussex loses appeal as court rules city has right to boot him from land," 3 Aug. 2016 Each owner receives a fee-simple deeded fractional interest in one suite and shared ownership in the lodge and community common areas. — Canyon River Ranch, The Seattle Times, "Fractional ownership can put a vacation dream within reach," 24 Sep. 2018 The owner of Alamo Beer later deeded the property to Meyer. — Jennifer Hiller, San Antonio Express-News, "City manager approves a controversial project near Hays Street Bridge, with conditions," 24 Mar. 2018 Ownership interests can be resold, shared or gifted just like any other deeded real estate. — Canyon River Ranch, The Seattle Times, "Fractional ownership can put a vacation dream within reach," 24 Sep. 2018 McGrady said a small right-of-way that will be deeded to the city went from 30 feet long to 27.7 feet and will be used for public utilities. — Erika Butler, The Aegis, "Aberdeen reaches agreement for property needed to extend Middleton Road," 29 June 2018 Following Motherwell’s death in 1991, virtually all of his paintings were deeded to the foundation. — Amanda Svachula, New York Times, "Missing for Four Decades, a Stolen Motherwell Painting Turns Up," 12 July 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about deed

Dictionary Entries near deed

Statistics for deed

Last Updated

8 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for deed

The first known use of deed was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for deed

deed

noun

Financial Definition of deed

What It Is

A deed is an ownership document that entitles its holder to specific rights to a property based on a set of explicit conditions.

How It Works

In most cases, a deed establishes proper ownership of a piece of property such as a home or automobile. The deed grants the holder explicit privileges and rights that may only be exercised under duly expressed conditions. In this respect, a deed's conferment of unique rights or privileges brings with it a unique set of responsibilities.

An example would be a deed of ownership to a home. While the freedom inherent in the deed allows the holder to take many actions regarding the home, he is bound by the conditions of home ownership. For instance, though he may build a balcony on the back of his house, he may not be able to install a high-power speaker system as it could disturb the neighbors.

Why It Matters

A deed sets specific privileges and rights that the holder alone may exercise and it sets rules that render the holder responsible for the consequences of exercising those rights.

Source: Investing Answers

deed

noun

English Language Learners Definition of deed

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something that is done : an act or action

: a legal document that shows who owns a building or piece of land

deed

verb

English Language Learners Definition of deed (Entry 2 of 2)

US : to give someone ownership of (a building or piece of land) by means of a deed

See the full definition for deed in the English Language Learners Dictionary

deed

noun

\ ˈdēd

Kids Definition of deed

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something that is done : act a brave deed

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

deed

verb

deeded; deeding

Kids Definition of deed (Entry 2 of 2)

: to transfer by a deed He deeded the house to the new owners.

Keep scrolling for more

deed

noun

Legal Definition of deed

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

1 : 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

2 : 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

2 : 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