delivery
dih-LIHV-ree
Delivery (noun) means the act of bringing goods, mail, or a service to the person receiving them. Example: “The delivery arrived an hour later than promised.”
noun
1
The act of bringing goods, mail, or a service to the person receiving them.
"The delivery arrived an hour later than promised."
"We offer free delivery on orders over fifty pounds."
"Please sign for the delivery if you are home when the courier knocks."
2
The process of a baby being born.
"The delivery went smoothly and the baby was healthy."
"She stayed calm throughout a long delivery and soon held her newborn son."
"The midwife said the delivery would probably happen overnight, so they packed a bag."
3
The style or manner in which someone speaks, sings, or performs.
"The comedian's flat delivery made the joke funnier."
"Her slow, calm delivery made the speech easy to follow, even for newcomers."
"The actor's passionate delivery of the final speech left the audience completely silent."
4
In cricket or bowling, the way a ball is thrown or bowled.
"His fastest delivery clocked over ninety miles an hour."
"The batter missed the ball completely because the bowler's delivery swerved late in the air."
"Her first delivery of the match bounced awkwardly and surprised everyone on the pitch."
How to use delivery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting something to where it needs to go — a parcel, a baby, or even the way you say something.
Common pairings
same-day delivery
delivery in childbirth
a comedic delivery
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Word forms
- Plural
- deliveries
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The _____ arrived an hour later than promised.
Etymology
From Middle English deliveri, via Anglo-Norman, from Old French delivrer.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for delivery
See all rhymes for delivery →Frequently asked questions
What does “delivery” mean?
The word “delivery” means the act of bringing goods, mail, or a service to the person receiving them. In plain terms, getting something to where it needs to go — a parcel, a baby, or even the way you say something.
How do you pronounce “delivery”?
“Delivery” is pronounced dih-LIHV-ree (/dɪˈlɪv.(ə.)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “delivery” in a sentence?
Here is “delivery” used in a sentence: “The delivery arrived an hour later than promised.”
What part of speech is “delivery”?
“Delivery” is a noun.
Where does the word “delivery” come from?
The word “delivery” comes from Old French. From Middle English deliveri, via Anglo-Norman, from Old French delivrer.
Is “delivery” a common word?
“Delivery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “delivery” have?
“Delivery” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of bringing goods, mail, or a service to the person receiving them.
What is the difference between delivery and shipping?
Shipping is the whole process of sending goods, from packing them to moving them through transit toward the buyer. Delivery is the final step: the moment the goods are handed over to the person receiving them. You might say an order 'shipped' on Monday and was 'delivered' on Wednesday.
What are the types of delivery?
Delivery services are usually defined by speed and method. Standard delivery is the cheapest and slowest, while express, next-day, and same-day options cost more for faster arrival. There is also scheduled delivery for a chosen time slot, and contactless delivery, where goods are left without direct handover.
Does 'delivery' only refer to packages?
No. Besides bringing goods or mail, 'delivery' describes the way a speaker presents words, as in a comedian's delivery. In medicine it means the birth of a baby, and in cricket it is a single throw of the ball. The shared idea is something being brought forth or handed over.
What is an example of delivery?
A courier dropping a parcel at your front door is a delivery. So is a restaurant bringing a hot meal to your home, or the postal service handing over a letter. Each involves goods or a service being brought directly to the person meant to receive it.
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