1
: to make a present of
give a doll to a child
2
a
: to grant or bestow by formal action
the law gives citizens the right to vote
b
: to accord or yield to another
gave him her confidence
3
a
: to put into the possession of another for his or her use
gave me his phone number
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
d
: to transfer from one's authority or custody
the sheriff gave the prisoner to the warden
e
: to execute and deliver
all employees must give bond
f
: to convey to another
give them my regards
4
a
: to offer to the action of another : proffer
gave her his hand
b
dated, of a woman
: to yield (oneself) to a man in sexual intercourse
5
a
: to present in public performance
give a concert
b
: to present to view or observation
gave the signal to start
6
: to provide by way of entertainment
give a party
7
: to propose as a toast
8
9
11
a
: to deliver by some bodily action
gave him a push
b
: to carry out (a movement, facial expression, etc.)
gave a cynical smile
c
: to inflict as punishment
d
: to award by formal verdict
judgment was given against the plaintiff
12
: to offer for consideration, acceptance, or use
gives no reason for his absence
13
14
a
: to cause one to have or receive
mountains always gave him pleasure
b
: to cause a person to catch by contagion, infection, or exposure
15
a
: to allow one to have or take
give me time
b
: to lead or attempt to lead
—used with an infinitive
you gave me to understand you'd be late
16
: to care to the extent of
didn't give a hoot
1
: to make gifts or presents
gave generously to charities
2
a
: to yield to physical force or strain
b
: to collapse from the application of force or pressure
The canvas chair gave under her weight.
c
: to undergo or submit to change
for the strike to be settled, something has to give
3
: to afford a view or passage : open
the window gives onto the terrace
4
: to enter wholeheartedly into an activity
5
slang
: to be happening
wants to know what gives
1
: capacity or tendency to yield to force or strain : flexibility
2
: the ability of a material to bend or stretch
The knitted fabric has a lot of give to it.
Examples of give in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
In March 2025, Chelsea gave PEOPLE an exclusive update on Max's health journey, explaining that their son has had to relearn basic functions and attend physical therapy.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
There’s always going to be the yin and yang of giving, the give and take.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for give
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The shareholder meetings give the youngest Browns in the sixth and seventh generations, and their distant cousins, a chance to meet and bounce ideas off one another.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
In March 2025, Chelsea gave PEOPLE an exclusive update on Max's health journey, explaining that their son has had to relearn basic functions and attend physical therapy.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
The seats are deep and luxurious and have just the right amount of give.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
There’s always going to be the yin and yang of giving, the give and take.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for give
Cite this Entry
“Give.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
give
1 of 2 verb1
: to make a present of
gave me a book
2
b
: to make a donation
give blood
we already gave at the office
c
: to grant or yield to another
gave her trust to her friend
3
a
: to put into the possession or keeping of another
give me the letter to mail
b
: to offer to another : proffer
gave his hand to the visitor
c
: pay entry 1 sense 1
wouldn't give a penny for that bike
4
a
: to present in public performance
give a concert
b
: to present to view
gave the signal to start
5
: to provide by way of entertainment
give a party
6
: to point out or set aside as a share or portion
gave their daughter half of their estate
7
: to indicate the source or cause of
gave all the glory to her mother
8
: to form, make, or yield as a product or result
cows give milk
84 divided by 12 gives 7
9
a
: to deliver by some bodily action
gave me a push
b
: to carry out a movement : perform
gave a sudden leap
c
: pronounce sense 1
give judgment
10
: to offer for consideration or acceptance
gives no reason for his absence
11
: to apply fully : devote
gave herself to the cause
12
: to cause to have
gave pleasure to the reader
13
: to yield or collapse under force or pressure
the box gave under his foot
giver
noun
give
2 of 2 noun1
: tendency to yield to force or strain
2
: the quality or state of being springy
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