put; putting
1
a
: to place in a specified position or relationship : lay
put the book on the table
b
: to move in a specified direction
c(1)
: to send (something, such as a weapon or missile) into or through something : thrust
(2)
: to throw with an overhand pushing motion
put the shot
d
: to bring into a specified state or condition
a reapportionment … that was put into effect at the September primaries—
Current Biography
Current Biography
e
: to prescribe a specified regimen for
—usually used with on
put her on medication
put him on a diet
2
3
a
: to set before one for judgment or decision
put the question
b
: to call for a formal vote on
put the motion
4
5
6
b
: invest entry 1 sense 1
put her money in the company
7
1
: to start in motion : go
especially
: to leave in a hurry
2
of a ship
: to take a specified course
put down the river
1
: a throw made with an overhand pushing motion
specifically
: the act or an instance of putting the shot
2
: an option to sell a specified amount of a security (such as a stock) or commodity (such as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified time compare call sense 3d
Phrases
put forth
2
: to bring into action : exert
3
: to produce or send out by growth
put forth leaves
4
: to start out
: propose
put forward a theory
: remind
: identify
put his finger on the cause of the trouble
: to take a firm stand
: to make a tactless or embarrassing blunder
chiefly British
: to finish off : bring an end to
: to ask for money
: to inform on
put the finger on … heroin pushers—Barrie Zwicker
Barrie Zwicker
: to make sexual advances toward
: to make the final preparations for printing (something, such as a newspaper)
Synonyms
Examples of put in a Sentence
Verb
Put the car in the garage.
I put the keys on the table.
He put his arms around her and held her tight.
He fell and accidentally put his hand through a window.
The illness put her in the hospital for three days.
They put her in prison for forgery.
Her parents decided to put her in a special school for deaf children.
If she drove 55 mph for 20 minutes, that would put her about halfway there by now.
Don't forget to put your signature on the check.
He put his phone number on a napkin.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Pearsall’s first career touchdown had put the 49ers ahead 7-0, once a replay confirmed Pearsall’s 46-yard catch-and-run.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
So, my practice as a curator has also always been about presenting art within such spaces but also taking much out of the galleries or, better put, imagining the world out there as THE gallery par excellence.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024
The value of the put contracts will increase if the S & P 500 falls on a surprising resurgence of inflation.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for put 
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 fact that China tolerated open criticism of North Korea’s leadership put further strain on the relationship between the two governments.
—Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Pearsall’s first career touchdown had put the 49ers ahead 7-0, once a replay confirmed Pearsall’s 46-yard catch-and-run.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
Between the higher prices for downside put options and the 8%-9% decline TLT has seen in only the past 6 weeks, my recommendation for pressing bearish bets is a put spread.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024
So, my practice as a curator has also always been about presenting art within such spaces but also taking much out of the galleries or, better put, imagining the world out there as THE gallery par excellence.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Regardless of shape, size, material, or even price tag, hoop earrings are one of the most surefire ways to instantly feel more put together.
—Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024
The value of the put contracts will increase if the S & P 500 falls on a surprising resurgence of inflation.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for put
Articles Related to put
Dictionary Entries Near put
Cite this Entry
“Put.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
put
1 of 3 verb
put; putting
1
a
: to place in or move into a position or relationship
put the book down
b
: to throw with an overhand pushing motion
put the shot
c
: to bring into a state or condition
put it to use
put the matter right
put us at risk
2
a
: to cause to undergo something
was put to death
b
: impose sense 1a
put a special tax on luxuries
3
: to set before one for judgment or decision (as by a formal vote)
put the motion
4
: express entry 4 sense 1a
put your feelings into words
5
a
: to devote or urge to an activity or end
put them to work
b
: invest entry 2 sense 1
put our money in the company
6
a
: estimate entry 1 sense 1
put the time at about eleven
b
: attach sense 5
puts a high value on friendship
7
: go entry 1 sense 1, proceed
the ship put to sea
put
2 of 3 noun
: a throw made with an overhand pushing motion
put
3 of 3 adjective
: fixed sense 1a, set
stay put until I come back
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share