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You know what it looks like… but what is it called?
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b(1)
: to administer as a sacrament
(2)
: to administer as a medicine
c
: to commit to another as a trust or responsibility and usually for an expressed reason
4
a
: to offer to the action of another : proffer
b
dated, of a woman
: to yield (oneself) to a man in sexual intercourse
8
a
: to designate as a share or portion : allot
b
: to make assignment of (a name)
d
: to attribute in thought or utterance : ascribe
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Verb
She gave him a camera for Christmas.
Are you giving this to me or only lending it?
She has given money to many worthy causes.
They're asking people to give money for a new hospital.
Please give to our charity.
We already gave at the office.
It is better to give than to receive.
He gave me the letter.
He gave her his coat to hold.
He gave me a head start.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Isidore, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023
The Slam will also give amateur pickleball players an opportunity to compete in a challenge on March 31 and April 1.
—Simrin Singh, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2023
The scrunchie-like fastenings over the uppers give this pair a distinct texture.
—Gaby Keiderling, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Jan. 2023
At the elimination, Bananas and Nany give them their wish and send them straight in.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 19 Jan. 2023
When the ground is covered in snow, snowshoes give you the ability to move across the powder without difficulty.
—Déjà Leonard, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
If the person in trouble is your own child, then by all means give rescue breaths as you were trained in your CPR course.
—Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2023
But please give loved ones room for temporary discomfort.
—Meredith Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Jan. 2023
This pan will give you an unmatched sear—not just in evenness, but also in the depth of that browning.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 19 Jan. 2023
Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Jan. 2023
Croatia had seemed to run out of rope at the end of the first extra-time period, when Neymar completed a lightning-speed give and go to score, giving Brazil a deserved, if delayed, lead.
—Andrew Das, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2022
And that's essential for scientists trying to get the final word on the give and take of CO2 between the atmosphere and plants and soils that are being hammered by climate impacts.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2022
Another consideration hinged on the give and take that’s always a part of public funding: The Brimer financial pipeline, with the first bonds likely to be sold in November 2023, will close off some other revenue streams until the bonds are repaid.
—Dallas News, 8 Apr. 2022
Maera has a predominantly cotton composition featuring polyester and elastane for extra give.
—Calin Van Paris, Peoplemag, 20 Dec. 2022
Continue baking until cookies lightly brown and centers, when lightly pressed, have barely any give, 6-9 minutes.
—WSJ, 30 Nov. 2022
And that’s kind of the give and take of play calling.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 11 Nov. 2022
And that’s where a lot of the magic happens and there’s a give and take there.
—Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 20 Sep. 2022
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Verb
That will give buyers more chances to haggle once again.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 19 Jan. 2023
The Slam will also give amateur pickleball players an opportunity to compete in a challenge on March 31 and April 1.
—Simrin Singh, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2023
The scrunchie-like fastenings over the uppers give this pair a distinct texture.
—Gaby Keiderling, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Jan. 2023
At the elimination, Bananas and Nany give them their wish and send them straight in.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 19 Jan. 2023
When the ground is covered in snow, snowshoes give you the ability to move across the powder without difficulty.
—Déjà Leonard, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023
If the person in trouble is your own child, then by all means give rescue breaths as you were trained in your CPR course.
—Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2023
But please give loved ones room for temporary discomfort.
—Meredith Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Jan. 2023
This pan will give you an unmatched sear—not just in evenness, but also in the depth of that browning.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 19 Jan. 2023
Noun
The Index is based on the principle that tax systems favorable to business give states advantages in attracting new businesses and generating economic and employment growth.
—Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Jan. 2023
Croatia had seemed to run out of rope at the end of the first extra-time period, when Neymar completed a lightning-speed give and go to score, giving Brazil a deserved, if delayed, lead.
—Andrew Das, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2022
And that's essential for scientists trying to get the final word on the give and take of CO2 between the atmosphere and plants and soils that are being hammered by climate impacts.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2022
Another consideration hinged on the give and take that’s always a part of public funding: The Brimer financial pipeline, with the first bonds likely to be sold in November 2023, will close off some other revenue streams until the bonds are repaid.
—Dallas News, 8 Apr. 2022
Maera has a predominantly cotton composition featuring polyester and elastane for extra give.
—Calin Van Paris, Peoplemag, 20 Dec. 2022
Continue baking until cookies lightly brown and centers, when lightly pressed, have barely any give, 6-9 minutes.
—WSJ, 30 Nov. 2022
And that’s kind of the give and take of play calling.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 11 Nov. 2022
And that’s where a lot of the magic happens and there’s a give and take there.
—Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 20 Sep. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'give.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Swedish giva to give; akin to Old English giefan, gifan to give, and perhaps to Latin habēre to have, hold
Noun
derivative of give entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of give was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing give
Articles Related to give
Dictionary Entries Near give
Cite this Entry
“Give.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023.
Kids Definition
give
1 of 2 verb
giver
noun
Medical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on give
Nglish: Translation of give for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of give for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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