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)
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
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
After dinner, the family took a photo together one last time in the house's iconic entryway, and Caitlyn joined in, too, though Kendall had to remind her to put her phone away and smile for the photo.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Wade’s Bayou offers a sheltered put-in.
—Melanie Haiken, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
One way to do this would be to use a put spread, such as the November 75/65 as follows, a trade that might also serve a bearish speculator, risking less than 4% of the current stock price to make a bearish bet.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2025
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
And importantly, Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership is an affirmation of its sovereignty, putting it in equal standing with its former occupier, Indonesia, within the regional bloc.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
After dinner, the family took a photo together one last time in the house's iconic entryway, and Caitlyn joined in, too, though Kendall had to remind her to put her phone away and smile for the photo.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Something worth considering when evaluating the price of a business’s options, given its so much cash on the balance sheet, is how expensive downside puts are relative to at-the-money options or out-of-the-money calls.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Wade’s Bayou offers a sheltered put-in.
—Melanie Haiken, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
During past shutdowns, the possibility of the military not being paid put pressure on Congress, but that's off the table this time because the White House is able to repurpose funds for now to pay them, says NPR's Sam Gringlas.
—NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
One way to do this would be to use a put spread, such as the November 75/65 as follows, a trade that might also serve a bearish speculator, risking less than 4% of the current stock price to make a bearish bet.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for put
Cite this Entry
“Put.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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
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