due

noun

: something due (see due entry 1) or owed: such as

a

: something that rightfully belongs to one

give him his due

b

: a payment or obligation required by law or custom : debt

c

dues plural : fees, charges

membership dues

Examples of due in a Sentence

Dues are increasing this year.

Workers are required to join the union and pay dues.

He deserves to be given his due.

Recent Examples on the Web

Axios reported Tuesday that some Democrats were threatening to withhold dues from the group because of the Central Valley race intervention. —Mathew Miranda june 9, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026

Youth soccer is a $5 billion industry, with many families shelling out $15,000 (or more) per year for club dues, tournament fees, private lessons, gas, food, hotels and $315 Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly 11s. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

The United States has withdrawn from the World Health Organization, withheld its dues, and abruptly recalled American specialists who worked with WHO. —Tom Frieden, STAT, 6 June 2026

It is supported by public funds and membership dues. —Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing due

• come due
• due date
• due diligence
• due for
• due process
• due to
• holder in due course
• in due course
• in due time
• past due
• postage-due stamp
• procedural due process
• substantive due process
• with (all) (due) respect
• with due regard to

Rhymes for due

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

due

1 of 3 adjective

ˈd(y)ü 

1

: owed or owing as a debt or right

respect due to the court

2

: according to accepted beliefs or procedures : appropriate entry 2

treat the judge with due respect

3

a

: sufficient, adequate

arrived in due time

b

: regular entry 1 sense 2a, lawful

due process of law

4

: being a result

—used with to

accidents due to carelessness

5

: having reached the date at which payment is required

bills are due

6

: required or expected to happen

due to arrive any minute now

due

2 of 3 noun

1

: something owed : debt

2

plural : a regular or legal charge or fee

membership dues

due

3 of 3 adverb

: directly entry 1 sense 1, exactly

due north

Medical Definition

due

adjective

ˈd(y)ü 

: expected to be born in the normal course of events

the baby is due in November

also : expected to give birth

she's due this month

Legal Definition

due

adjective

1

a

: satisfying or capable of satisfying an obligation, duty, or requirement under the law

the buyer's due performance under the contract

due proof of loss

b

: proper under the law

obstructing due administration of justice

2

: capable of being attributed

—used with to

any loss due to neglect

3

a

: having reached the date at which payment is required : payable

b

: owed though not yet required to be paid

4

: reasonable sense 1a, b

Etymology

Old French deu, past participle of devoir to owe, from Latin debere