perform — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To do (something); to execute.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   The scientists performed several experiments.

   It took him only twenty minutes to perform the task.

   More examples (1)

   Turbines have been around for a long time—windmills and water wheels are early examples. The name comes from the Latin turbo, meaning vortex, and thus the defining property of a turbine is that a fluid or gas turns the blades of a rotor, which is attached to a shaft that can perform useful work.

2. To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   The new employee performs well.

   I could care less how she perform when she in the bed

3. To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work. Of a man, to be able to initiate or fulfill an act of sexual intercourse.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Uncommon

4. To act in a way set forth in a contract. To act in accordance with (a contract); to fulfill one’s terms of (a contract).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Failure to perform a contract on time may constitute a breach of contract.

5. To act in a way set forth in a contract. To fulfill contractually agreed-to terms.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   They entered into an agreement and now they are obliged to perform.

6. To do (something) in front of an audience, such as acting or music, often in order to entertain.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Examples

   She will perform in the play.

   The magician performed badly—none of his tricks worked.

   More examples (2)

   The string quartet performed three pieces by Haydn.

   Perform a part thou hast not done before.

7. To behave theatrically so as to give the impression of (a quality, character trait, etc.); to feign.

   Usage

   • broadly
   • Transitive

   Examples

   The accused only performed remorse.

   As things now stand, Brexit is a pointless gesture, a politics of headlines in which sovereignty is performed by bleating world-beating absurdities.

8. Of a social actor, to behave in certain ways. To behave in accordance with, and thereby in turn shape, (a social notion or role).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   perform masculinity

   perform authority

   More examples (1)

   Even before her seven decades as monarch began, she performed Britishness more intuitively than anyone ever had, or likely ever will again.

9. Of a social actor, to behave in certain ways. To behave in ways that carry meaning in social contexts.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   Individuals in societies perform all the time.

Verb

1. carry out or perform an action

   Synonyms

   executedo

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters

   the skater executed a triple pirouette

   More examples (1)

   she did a little dance

2. perform a function

   Broader terms

   actmove

   Examples

   Who will perform the wedding?

3. give a performance (of something)

   Broader terms

   re-createrecreate

   Examples

   Horowitz is performing at Carnegie Hall tonight

   We performed a popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera

4. get (something) done

   Synonyms

   do

   Broader terms

   carry throughaccomplishexecutecarry outactionfulfillfulfil

   Examples

   I did my job