delivery

noun

de·​liv·​ery di-ˈli-v(ə-)rē How to pronounce delivery (audio)
dē-
plural deliveries
Synonyms of deliverynext
1
: the act or manner of delivering something: such as
a(1)
: the act of taking something to a person or place
Delivery of the package is scheduled for this morning.
The restaurant makes/does deliveries. [=takes food to customers]
(2)
law : the transfer of possession or control of property to another
b
: the act or process of giving birth
The doctor expects a routine delivery.
c
: the way something is said officially or publicly
The comic's delivery was terrible.
d
sports : the way a ball is thrown or released (as in baseball or cricket)
2
: something delivered
I received my delivery.

Synonyms of delivery

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Examples of delivery in a Sentence

The delivery is scheduled for this morning. The company offers free delivery with orders over $100. Someone has to be home to accept delivery of the package. Allow six weeks for delivery. The baby weighed almost seven pounds at the time of delivery. The doctor expects it to be a routine delivery. The doctor has had three deliveries today. The joke was funny, but his delivery was terrible. I need to work on my delivery before I give the speech.
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.
West Texas Intermediate futures for October are back above $90 a barrel, while Brent crude for November delivery is back over $95 a barrel. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 This comprises five customizable ride modes for the 805 RX, plus reverse, allowing riders to adjust characteristics including power delivery, traction control and regenerative braking. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 The throttle mapping in off-road modes made modulating the power delivery very simple, and other than the slightly lower ground clearance, this electric one can go anywhere that any other Range Rover can. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 Midwives and doulas work alongside OB-GYNs and support mothers who want to avoid a delivery by cesarean section unless necessary. — Noam Levey, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delivery

Word History

Etymology

Middle English delevery, delyverey "yielding, surrendering, disbursement," probably borrowed from Anglo-French deliveré "handing over," noun derivative from past participle of delivrer "to save, hand over, deliver"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing delivery

Rhymes for delivery

See All Rhymes for delivery

Browse Nearby Words

deliver up to
delivery
delivery boy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Delivery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delivery. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

delivery

noun
de·​liv·​ery di-ˈliv-(ə-)rē How to pronounce delivery (audio)
plural deliveries
1
: a delivering from something that restricts or burdens
2
a
: the act of handing over
b
: a legal transfer of right or title
c
: something delivered at one time or in one unit
3
: the action of giving birth
4
: a delivering especially of a speech
5
: manner or style of delivering

Medical Definition

delivery

noun
de·​liv·​ery di-ˈliv-(ə-)rē How to pronounce delivery (audio)
plural deliveries
1
: the act of giving birth : the expulsion or extraction of a fetus and its membranes : parturition
2
: the procedure of assisting birth of the fetus and expulsion of the placenta by manual, instrumental, or surgical means

Legal Definition

delivery

noun
de·​liv·​ery
plural deliveries
: an act that shows a transferor's intent to make a transfer of property (as a gift)
especially : the transfer of possession or exclusive control of property to another
— actual delivery
: a delivery (as by hand or shipment) of actual physical property (as jewelry or stock certificates)
— conditional delivery
: a delivery after which ownership will be transferred upon fulfillment of a condition compare gift causa mortis at gift

Note: A conditional delivery is usually made in order to make a transfer revocable.

— constructive delivery
: a delivery of a representation of property (as a written instrument) or means of possession (as a key) that is construed by a court as sufficient to show the transferor's intent or to put the property under the transferee's control

called also symbolic delivery

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