put-up

1 of 2

adjective

: arranged secretly beforehand
a put-up job

put up

2 of 2

verb

put up; putting up; puts up

transitive verb

1
a
: to place in a container or receptacle
put his lunch up in a bag
b
: to put away (a sword) in a scabbard : sheathe
c
: to prepare so as to preserve for later use : can
d
: to put in storage
2
: to start (game animals) from cover
3
: to nominate for election
4
: to offer up (something, such as a prayer)
5
6
: to make available
especially : to offer for public sale
put their possessions up for auction
7
: to give food and shelter to : accommodate
8
: to arrange (a plot, a scheme, etc.) with others
put up a job to steal the jewels
9
10
a
: to make a display of
put up a brave front
b
: to engage in
put up a struggle
11
a
: contribute, pay
put up bail money
b
: to offer as a prize or stake
12
chiefly British : to increase the amount of : raise
13
: to succeed in producing or achieving
an athlete who has put up big numbers
also : score sense 4a(1)
put up 20 points

intransitive verb

1
: lodge
2
: to take direct action
used in the phrase put up or shut up
Phrases
put one up to
: to incite one to (a course of action)
they put him up to playing the prank
put up with
: to endure or tolerate without complaint or attempt at reprisal

Examples of put-up in a Sentence

Verb the builders put up the walls before starting on the roof plans to put up a pavilion in the public gardens
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Coupled with its 55% tumble last outing, the Warner Bros. release has been putting up some holds that are slightly but notably stronger than the average horror release. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 23 Sep. 2023 His coalition partners may put up strong resistance to any significant concessions for the Palestinians, which could in turn be a deal breaker for Saudi Arabia. Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023 The Commanders will put up more of a fight, especially with pass rusher Chase Young back in form. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023 The Cincinnati Bengals have put up 27 total points, and the Kansas City Chiefs have put up 37, just to name a couple. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 21 Sep. 2023 The 288-bed senior living facility was put up for sale last year, and local residents have been protesting for the last month amid rumors that migrants would soon be placed there. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023 The southern white rhinos, thought to be the largest single population of their kind, were put up for auction in April with a starting price of $10 million. Rachel Nuwer, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023 Brooks wasn’t alone putting up those numbers either. Vulture, 18 Sep. 2023 The Giants didn’t put up much of a fight in their opener, losing 40-0 to the Dallas Cowboys. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'put-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1810, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of put-up was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near put-up

Cite this Entry

“Put-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put-up. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

put up

verb
1
a
: to prepare for later use
put up a lunch
especially : can entry 3 sense 1
put up peaches
b
: to put away out of use
put up your sword
2
a
: to nominate for election
b
: to offer for public sale
put their possessions up for auction
3
: to give or obtain food and shelter : lodge
put us up overnight
4
5
: carry on sense 2
put up a struggle
6
: to make available
put up a prize for the best essay
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