livery

noun liv·ery \ ˈli-və-rē , ˈliv-rē \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

Definition of livery

plural liveries

1 archaic : the apportioning of provisions especially to servants : allowance

2 a : the distinctive clothing or badge formerly worn by the retainers (see ¹retainer 1) of a person of rank

b : a servant's uniform

c : distinctive dress : garb

a nun's traditional livery

d chiefly British : an identifying design (as on a vehicle) that designates ownership

3 archaic

a : one's retainers or retinue

b : the members of a British livery company

4 : the act of delivering legal possession of property

5 a : the feeding, stabling, and care of horses for pay

b : livery stable

c : a concern offering vehicles (such as boats) for rent

a canoe livery

an automobile livery

See livery defined for English-language learners

See livery defined for kids

Examples of livery in a Sentence

the limousine chauffeur was easily distinguished from the cab drivers by his livery

Recent Examples of livery from the Web

Pippa Mann will be racing in the Indianapolis 500 for the sixth consecutive year with Dale Coyne but is trading her traditional pink livery for silver and light green, the colors Donate Life Indiana, her new primary sponsor.

— nat newell, Indianapolis Star, "Pippa Mann has new sponsor, livery for Indianapolis 500," 20 Mar. 2018
The clients mingled over flutes of pink Cristal, served by handsome waiters in maroon livery.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "Sarah Jessica Parker Helps Dolce & Gabbana Bring Luxe to the Library," 17 Apr. 2018
In 1977, the most distinctive feature of the official livery for the Southern Airways fleet was that cobalt-blue band, emblazoned with the company’s name, which ran from the nose cone to the tail.

— samme chittum, Smithsonian, "What Happened When a Southern Airways Flight 242 Crashed in Sadie Burkhalter’s Front Yard," 26 Mar. 2018
The new area will feature a depot, bandstand, barbershop and livery.

— cleveland.com, "16 new Ohio vacation attractions: Cedar Point's Steel Vengeance coaster, veterans museum, beer hotel & more," 8 Apr. 2018
The leather strap has top stitching that reflects the livery of the Aston Martin Racing Team.

— Fortune, "The Best Non-Car Stuff to Buy From Bentley, Porsche, and BMW," 7 Apr. 2018
This model, however, adopts the black and red livery of the Chiron Sport shown in Geneva to excellent effect.

— Bloomberg.com, "A $300,000 Watch for Your $3.26 Million Sports Car," 3 Apr. 2018
The state budget dealt a blow to New York’s struggling taxi and livery car industry, imposing a fee of $2.50 to $2.75 on trips in Manhattan’s business district to pay for improvements to mass transit.

— paul berger, WSJ, "New York Taxi Drivers See State Fee as Blow to Battered Industry," 1 Apr. 2018
Every airline chooses its livery colors with care and pride.

— samme chittum, Smithsonian, "What Happened When a Southern Airways Flight 242 Crashed in Sadie Burkhalter’s Front Yard," 26 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of livery

Middle English, from Anglo-French liveree, livree, literally, delivery, from liverer to deliver, from Latin liberare to free — more at liberate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

livery Synonyms

Synonyms

outfit, uniform;

Related Words

fatigues, full dress, regimentals;

costume, finery, regalia;

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

livery

adjective

Definition of livery

1 : resembling liver

2 : suggesting liver disorder

Origin and Etymology of livery

see ¹liver

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

LIVERY Defined for English Language Learners

livery

noun

Definition of livery for English Language Learners

: the business of keeping vehicles that people can hire
: the colors or designs that are used on a company's products, vehicles, etc.
: a special uniform worn by servants especially in the past

LIVERY Defined for Kids

livery

noun liv·ery \ ˈli-və-rē , ˈliv-rē \

Definition of livery for Students

plural liveries

1 : a special uniform worn by the servants of a wealthy household

2 : the business of keeping horses and vehicles for hire : a place ( livery stable ) that keeps horses and vehicles for hire

Medical Dictionary

livery

adjective liv·ery \ ˈliv-ə-rē \

medical Definition of livery

: suggesting liver disorder : liverish

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livery

Definition of livery

Examples of livery in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of livery

livery Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Clothing Terms

livery

Definition of livery

Origin and Etymology of livery

LIVERY Defined for English Language Learners

livery

Definition of livery for English Language Learners

LIVERY Defined for Kids

livery

Definition of livery for Students

Medical Dictionary

livery

medical Definition of livery

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