perform

verb

per·​form pər-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
performed; performing; performs
Synonyms of performnext

transitive verb

1
: to adhere to the terms of : fulfill
perform a contract
2
: carry out, do
3
a
: to do in a formal manner or according to prescribed ritual
b
: to give a rendition of : present

intransitive verb

1
: to carry out an action or pattern of behavior : act, function
2
: to give a performance : play
performability
pər-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
noun
performable
pər-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
adjective
performer
pər-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce perform (audio)
pə-
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for perform

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect.

perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of perform in a Sentence

The doctor had to perform surgery immediately. The magician performed some amazing tricks. The gymnasts performed their routines perfectly. You are required to perform 50 hours of community service. The band will be performing on the main stage. She's a wonderful singer who loves to perform before a live audience. The band will perform songs from their new album. The class performed the play for the school.
Recent Examples on the Web The biggest surprise of the night: the return of Patti Scialfa, who performed on a few 2023 shows and then disappeared from public view. —Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024 Local 89 represents just over 4,000 constructions workers, many of whom work for local builders and perform contract work for San Diego Gas & Electric. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024 Earlier in the show, English songstress RAYE made her musical guest debut on SNL, performing a pair of songs from her Brit Award-winning debut album, My 21st Century Blues. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2024 Hundreds of Muslims gathered to perform his Janazah, the Islamic funeral prayer. —Mohammad Al Sawalhi, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024 Meanwhile, clinicians rarely ask patients about their capacity to perform the work they’re being asked to do. —Judith Graham, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024 The would-be comedian, faced with the prospect of becoming an outlaw, invents something called anti-comedy, and rents a warehouse to stage and perform it. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024 Studies that re-create stone tools and use them for activities like cutting can help reveal how particular stones performed. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024 Jatta would like to return to the United States to perform and teach and is excited about the people from around the world who are reaching out to him for his thoughts. —Aaron Cohen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perform.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parformen, parfournen, perfourmen, performen "to complete, perfect, accomplish, carry out (a duty, plan), construct," borrowed from Anglo-French parfourner, parfurnir, performer, parfourmir "to carry out, execute, complete" (continental Old French parfornir), from par-, per- per- + fornir, furnir "to supply, provide, furnish"; forms with -m- probably by association with former, formir "to form entry 2"

Note: Note that the Germanic etymon *frumjan, the source of Old French fornir, had an -m- which is reflected in Old Occitan and medieval Catalan formir, medieval Pisan frumiare "to make ready, deliver," though neither early French nor the dialectal evidence assembled by Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch shows any trace of the -m-—hence it is unlikely to have played a role in the history of performer. The variants with -n-, common in Middle English, did not survive into Modern English.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Phrases Containing perform

Dictionary Entries Near perform

perforce

perform

per formam doni

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Perform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perform. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

perform

verb
per·​form pə(r)-ˈfȯ(ə)rm How to pronounce perform (audio)
1
a
: carry out, do
b
: act entry 2 sense 4, function
2
: to do something requiring special skill
3
a
: to do according to rules or in an established way
perform a wedding
b
: to give a performance of
perform a play
performable
-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl How to pronounce perform (audio)
adjective
performer
-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce perform (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

perform

transitive verb
per·​form
1
: to adhere to and fulfill the terms of
perform an obligation
2
: to carry out or bring about
perform the work according to design
3
: to do according to prescribed ritual or law
perform a marriage ceremony
4
: to give a public rendition or presentation of
perform a copyrighted play

intransitive verb

1
: to adhere to and fulfill the terms of a contract, promise, or obligation
failed to perform under the agreement
2
: to carry out or present something

More from Merriam-Webster on perform

Nglish: Translation of perform for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of perform for Arabic Speakers

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