perform

verb

per·​form pər-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
performed; performing; performs
Synonyms of performnext

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
pər-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
noun
performable
pər-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
adjective
performer
pər-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web
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.
Students from College of Adaptive Arts will sing the opening National Anthem and perform a special cheer routine during the game. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 Latin music icon Marc Anthony performed and executive produced a special segment with salsa great Sergio George to pay homage to the tropical music genre. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024 Because of their thick skin, testing for skin allergies was not possible, but the zoo performed blood allergy tests. —Jen McCaffery, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024 High frequencies are more difficult to block out than other tones, as high-end noise-cancelling headphones from Apple, Bose, and Sony perform similarly. —PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perform 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parformen, parfournen, perfourmen, performen "to complete, perfect, accomplish, carry out (a duty, plan), construct," borrowed from Anglo-French parfourner, parfurnir, performer, parfourmir "to carry out, execute, complete" (continental Old French parfornir), from par-, per- per- + fornir, furnir "to supply, provide, furnish"; forms with -m- probably by association with former, formir "to form entry 2"

Note: Note that the Germanic etymon *frumjan, the source of Old French fornir, had an -m- which is reflected in Old Occitan and medieval Catalan formir, medieval Pisan frumiare "to make ready, deliver," though neither early French nor the dialectal evidence assembled by Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch shows any trace of the -m-—hence it is unlikely to have played a role in the history of performer. The variants with -n-, common in Middle English, did not survive into Modern English.

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of perform was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing perform

Dictionary Entries Near perform

perforce

perform

per formam doni

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Perform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perform. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

perform

verb
per·​form pə(r)-ˈfȯ(ə)rm How to pronounce perform (audio)
1
a
: carry out, do
b
: act entry 2 sense 4, function
2
: to do something requiring special skill
3
a
: to do according to rules or in an established way
perform a wedding
b
: to give a performance of
perform a play
performable
-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl How to pronounce perform (audio)
adjective
performer
-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce perform (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

perform

transitive verb
per·​form
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

More from Merriam-Webster on perform

Nglish: Translation of perform for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of perform for Arabic Speakers

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