perform

verb per·form \ pər-ˈfȯrm , pə- \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of perform

transitive verb

1 :to adhere to the terms of :fulfill

perform a contract

2 :carry out, do

3 a :to do in a formal manner or according to prescribed ritual

b :to give a rendition of :present

intransitive verb

1 :to carry out an action or pattern of behavior :act, function

2 :to give a performance :play

—

performability

play \pər-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē, pə-\ noun

—

performable

play \pər-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl, pə-\ adjective

—

performer

play \pər-ˈfȯr-mər, pə-\ noun

See perform defined for English-language learners

See perform defined for kids

Examples of perform in a Sentence

The doctor had to perform surgery immediately.
The magician performed some amazing tricks.
The gymnasts performed their routines perfectly.
You are required to perform 50 hours of community service.
The band will be performing on the main stage.
She's a wonderful singer who loves to perform before a live audience.
The band will perform songs from their new album.
The class performed the play for the school.

Recent Examples of perform from the Web

A 104-year-old Indonesian woman is among those performing the hajj this year, according to Saudi authorities.

— ahmed hatem, The Seattle Times, "More than 1.7 million Muslims gather for start of hajj," 30 Aug. 2017
State and local governments seldom perform cost-benefit studies to determine their value — except in retrospect, when the money already has been paid out.

— michael hiltzik, chicagotribune.com, "Iowa's handout to Apple illustrates the folly of corporate welfare deals," 30 Aug. 2017
The performance marked the first time the Marian Catholic marching band performed at Sox park since 1988, according to director Greg Bimm.

— Daily Southtown, "Community news," 30 Aug. 2017
But in this case of yibum, Lot who is drunk, has NO consciousness of the act being performed. (Genesis 19:30-38) In the second, Yehudah (Judah) has relations with his daughter in law Tamar.

— rabbi avi weiss, Jewish Journal, "Weiss: Individuals engaged in acts of kindness are destined to redeem the world," 28 Aug. 2017
The third and final week of high school volleyball tournaments around the state concluded on Saturday and some of the local teams performed extremely well once again.

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "Volleyball wraps up the tournament season; Here are some of the weekend’s best tweets," 27 Aug. 2017
This company attempted to perform the difficult hammering job from a floating barge and failed.

— justin nobel, Longreads, "Why Oil-Loving Louisiana Should Embrace America’s Coming Offshore Wind Boom," 23 Aug. 2017
An autopsy was performed Tuesday, and the cause of death is pending toxicology testing.

— grace wong, McHenry County, "Authorities investigate death of Woodstock man whose body was found in Harvard," 23 Aug. 2017
In addition, over the weekend, the conductor was involved in securing the release of violist Wuilly Arteaga, who was beaten and detained after performing at an anti-government protest in July.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "Venezuela’s President Has Blocked Gustavo Dudamel’s Youth Orchestra from Playing in the U.S.," 22 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of perform

Middle English, from Anglo-French parfurmer, alteration of perforner, parfurnir, from par-, per- thoroughly (from Latin per-) + furnir to complete — more at furnish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

perform Synonyms

Synonyms

accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, execute, follow through (with), fulfill (or fulfil), make, negotiate, perpetrate, prosecute, pull off, put through, go through

Related Words

bring about, effect, effectuate, implement; ace, nail; engage (in), practice (also practise); work (at); reduplicate, reenact, repeat; actualize, attain, realize; complete, end, finish, wind up

Near Antonyms

fail; skimp, slight, slur

Synonym Discussion of perform

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect. perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

- performed gymnastics

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

- executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

- discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

- accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

- achieve greatness

effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

- effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

- fulfilled their ambitions

PERFORM Defined for English Language Learners

perform

verb

Definition of perform for English Language Learners

: to do an action or activity that usually requires training or skill
: to entertain an audience by singing, acting, etc.
—used to describe how effective or successful someone or something is

PERFORM Defined for Kids

perform

verb per·form \ pər-ˈfȯrm \

Definition of perform for Students

performed; performing

1 :to carry out :do

Anyone can perform this task.

2 :to do something needing special skill

The doctor had to perform surgery.

3 :to give a public presentation for entertainment

—

performer

noun

Law Dictionary

perform

transitive verb per·form

legal Definition of perform

1 :to adhere to and fulfill the terms of

perform an obligation

2 :to carry out or bring about

perform the work according to design

3 :to do according to prescribed ritual or law

perform a marriage ceremony

4 :to give a public rendition or presentation of

perform a copyrighted play

intransitive verb

1 :to adhere to and fulfill the terms of a contract, promise, or obligation

failed to perform under the agreement

2 :to carry out or present something

Learn More about perform

See words that rhyme with perform Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perform Spanish Central: Translation of perform Nglish: Translation of perform for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perform for Arabic speakers

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perform

Definition of perform

performability

performable

performer

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Examples of perform in a Sentence

Recent Examples of perform from the Web

Origin and Etymology of perform

perform Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of perform

Phrases Related to PERFORM

Related Phrases

PERFORM Defined for English Language Learners

perform

Definition of perform for English Language Learners

PERFORM Defined for Kids

perform

Definition of perform for Students

performer

Law Dictionary

perform

legal Definition of perform

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