deed

/did/

Other forms: deeds

A deed is an action that you perform with intent, like turning in a lost wallet you find in a store. Definitely a good deed.

The word deed is often used to describe acts of charity but an action doesn’t have to be good to be called a deed — people go to jail for their criminal deeds. Either way, a deed is something done on purpose. It could be difficult, as anyone who after breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend later told friends, "I did the deed," will know. An unrelated meaning of deed is a legal document that shows who owns a building or land.

Definitions of deed

noun
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

“he signed the deed”

synonyms: deed of conveyance, title

see moresee less

types:
show 6 types...

hide 6 types...

bill of sale
a deed transferring personal property

deed poll
a deed made and executed by only one party

enfeoffment
under the feudal system, the deed by which a person was given land in exchange for a pledge of service

mortgage deed
deed embodying a mortgage

title deed
a legal document proving a person's right to property

muniments
deeds and other documentary evidence of title to land

type of:
instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document
(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
noun
something that people do or cause to happen

synonyms: act, human action, human activity

see moresee less

types:
show 362 types...

hide 362 types...

action
something done (usually as opposed to something said)

acquiring, getting
the act of acquiring something

causation, causing
the act of causing something to happen

delivery, obstetrical delivery
the act of delivering a child

departure, going, going away, leaving
the act of departing

discovery, find, uncovering
the act of discovering something

disposal, disposition
the act or means of getting rid of something

effectuation, implementation
the act of implementing (providing a practical means for accomplishing something); carrying into effect

egress, egression, emergence
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent

equalisation, equalization, leveling
the act of making equal or uniform

digging up, disinterment, exhumation
the act of digging something out of the ground (especially a corpse) where it has been buried

mitsvah, mitzvah
(Judaism) a good deed performed out of religious duty

actuation, propulsion
the act of propelling

recovery, retrieval
the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost)

running away
the act of leaving (without permission) the place you are expected to be

touch, touching
the act of putting two things together with no space between them

nonaccomplishment, nonachievement
an act that does not achieve its intended goal

leaning
the act of deviating from a vertical position

motivating, motivation
the act of motivating; providing incentive

assumption
the act of assuming or taking for granted

rejection
the act of rejecting something

forfeit, forfeiture, sacrifice
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

derivation
the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin

activity
any specific behavior

hire
the act of hiring something or someone

wear, wearing
the act of having on your person as a covering or adornment

assessment, judgement, judgment
the act of judging or assessing a person or situation or event

production
the act or process of producing something

stay
continuing or remaining in a place or state

abidance, residence, residency
the act of dwelling in a place

inactivity
being inactive; being less active

hinderance, hindrance, interference
the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding

stop, stoppage
the act of stopping something

group action
action taken by a group of people

distribution
the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning

legitimation
the act of rendering a person legitimate

permissive waste, waste
(law) reduction in the value of an estate caused by act or neglect

proclamation, promulgation
the formal act of proclaiming; giving public notice

communicating, communication
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

speech act
the use of language to perform some act

thing
an action

benignity, kindness
a kind act

accomplishment, achievement
the action of accomplishing something

alienation
the action of alienating; the action of causing to become unfriendly

application
the action of putting something into operation

res gestae
things done

course, course of action
a mode of action

interaction
a mutual or reciprocal action; interacting

fetch
the action of fetching

playing
the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation

play, swordplay
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

arrival
the act of arriving at a certain place

breaking away
departing hastily

farewell, leave, leave-taking, parting
the act of departing politely

French leave
an abrupt and unannounced departure (without saying farewell)

disappearance, disappearing
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation

withdrawal
the act of withdrawing

stand-down, standdown
(military) a temporary stop of offensive military action

sailing
the departure of a vessel from a port

boarding, embarkation, embarkment
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft

exit
the act of going out

elopement
the act of running away with a lover (usually to get married)

escape, flight
the act of escaping physically

surfacing
emerging to the surface and becoming apparent

despatch, dispatch, shipment
the act of sending off something

failure
an act that fails

foiling, frustration, thwarting
an act of hindering someone's plans or efforts

error, fault, mistake
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

acquisition
the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something

obtainment, obtention
the act of obtaining

catching, contracting
becoming infected

position
the act of positing; an assumption taken as a postulate or axiom

appropriation
a deliberate act of acquisition of something, often without the permission of the owner

moving in, occupancy, occupation
the act of occupying or taking possession of a building

capture, gaining control, seizure
the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property

repossession
the action of regaining possession (especially the seizure of collateral securing a loan that is in default)

receipt, reception
the act of receiving

appointment
(law) the act of disposing of property by virtue of the power of appointment

comb-out
the act of carefully weeding out unwanted things or people

giving
disposing of property by voluntary transfer without receiving value in return

abandonment
the voluntary surrender of property (or a right to property) without attempting to reclaim it or give it away

mine disposal
the disposal of explosive mines

sewage disposal
the disposal of sewage

reclamation
the recovery of useful substances from waste products

deliverance, delivery, rescue, saving
recovery or preservation from loss or danger

ransom
the act of freeing from captivity or punishment

recapture, retaking
the act of taking something back

invocation
the act of appealing for help

instrumentation
the act of providing or using the instruments needed for some implementation

carrying into action, carrying out, execution, performance
the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it

motorisation, motorization
the act of motorizing (equiping with motors or with motor vehicles)

launch, launching
the act of propelling with force

launching
the act of moving a newly built vessel into the water for the first time

drive, driving force, thrust
the act of applying force to propel something

bowl, roll
the act of rolling something (as the ball in bowling)

throw
the act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist)

push, pushing
the act of applying force in order to move something away

pull, pulling
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

heave, lift, raise
the act of raising something

ejection, expulsion, forcing out, projection
the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting

jump, jumping
the act of jumping; propelling yourself off the ground

lob
the act of propelling something (as a ball or shell etc.) in a high arc

sending
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

rolling, wheeling
propelling something on wheels

shooting, shot
the act of firing a projectile

contact, physical contact
the act of touching physically

dab, pat, tap
a light touch or stroke

hit, hitting, striking
the act of contacting one thing with another

dig, jab
the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow

kiss
a light glancing touch

buss, kiss, osculation
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

catch, grab, snap, snatch
the act of catching an object with the hands

handling, manipulation
the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means

fingering
touching something with the fingers

grope
the act of groping; and instance of groping

palpation, tactual exploration
a method of examination in which the examiner feels the size or shape or firmness or location of something (of body parts when the examiner is a health professional)

tickle, tickling, titillation
the act of tickling

stroke, stroking
a light touch with the hands

tag
(sports) the act of touching a player in a game (which changes their status in the game)

lap, lick
touching with the tongue

grazing, shaving, skimming
the act of brushing against while passing

tracing
the discovery and description of the course of development of something

catching, detection, espial, spotting, spying
the act of detecting something; catching sight of something

self-discovery
discovering your own individuality

breakthrough
making an important discovery

determination, finding
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

rediscovery
the act of discovering again

induction, initiation, trigger
an act that sets in motion some course of events

coercion, compulsion
using force to cause something to occur

influence
causing something without any direct or apparent effort

inducement, inducing
act of bringing about a desired result

choice, option, pick, selection
the act of choosing or selecting

assigning, assignment
the act of distributing something to designated places or persons

agency, means, way
how a result is obtained or an end is achieved

vote
the opinion of a group as determined by voting

balancing, reconciliation
getting two things to correspond

equating, equation
the act of regarding as equal

breech birth, breech delivery, breech presentation
delivery of an infant whose feet or buttocks appear first

C-section, abdominal delivery, caesarean, caesarean delivery, caesarean section, caesarian, caesarian delivery, caesarian section, cesarean, cesarean delivery, cesarean section, cesarian, cesarian section
the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)

forceps delivery
delivery in which forceps are inserted through the vagina and used to grasp the head of the fetus and pull it through the birth canal; since the forceps can injure the fetus this procedure has generally given way to cesarean deliveries

midwifery
assisting women at childbirth

change
the action of changing something

economy, saving
an act of economizing; reduction in cost

variance, variation
an activity that varies from a norm or standard

forbiddance, inhibition, prohibition
the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance thereof)

opposition, resistance
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

brush-off
a curt or disdainful rejection

avoidance, dodging, shunning, turning away
the act of deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening

abandonment, desertion, forsaking
the act of giving something up

forgoing, forswearing, renunciation
the act of renouncing; sacrificing or giving up or surrendering (a possession or right or title or privilege etc.)

nonacceptance, turndown
the act of refusing an offer

banishment, proscription
rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing someone

displacement
act of removing from office or employment

bruxism
involuntarily or unconsciously clenching or grinding the teeth, typically during sleep

space walk
any kind of physical activity outside a spacecraft by one of the crew

procession
the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation

takeoff
a departure; especially of airplanes

pickup
the act of taking aboard passengers or freight

transfusion
the action of pouring a liquid from one vessel to another

domesticity
domestic activities or life

operation
the activity of operating something (a machine or business etc.)

operation
a planned activity involving many people performing various actions

pattern, practice
a customary way of operation or behavior

practice, praxis
translating an idea into action

diversion, recreation
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

bag, cup of tea, dish
an activity that you like or at which you are superior

follow-up, followup
an activity that continues something that has already begun or that repeats something that has already been done

game
a contest with rules to determine a winner

play, turn
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

dribble, dribbling
the propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks

music
musical activity (singing or whistling etc.)

acting, performing, playacting, playing
the performance of a part or role in a drama

animation, liveliness
general activity and motion

burst, fit
a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)

work
activity directed toward making or doing something

deeds, works
performance of moral or religious acts

service
(law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him

business, job, line, line of work, occupation
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

occupation
any activity that occupies a person's attention

committal to writing, writing
the activity of putting something in written form

haemostasia, haemostasis, hemostasia, hemostasis
surgical procedure of stopping the flow of blood (as with a hemostat)

justice
judgment involved in the determination of rights and the assignment of rewards and punishments

pickings, taking
the act of someone who picks up or takes something

role
normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting

actus reus, misconduct, wrongdoing, wrongful conduct
activity that transgresses moral or civil law

carelessness, neglect, negligence, nonperformance
failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances

dissipation, waste, wastefulness
useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly

transgression
the action of going beyond or overstepping some boundary or limit

attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

control
the activity of managing or exerting control over something

protection
the activity of protecting someone or something

adjudication
the final judgment in a legal proceeding; the act of pronouncing judgment based on the evidence presented

disapproval
the act of disapproving or condemning

evaluation, rating
act of ascertaining or fixing the value or worth of

estimate, estimation
a judgment of the qualities of something or somebody

logistic assessment
a judgment of the logistic support required for some particular military operation

value judgement, value judgment
an assessment that reveals more about the values of the person making the assessment than about the reality of what is assessed

sensory activity
activity intended to achieve a particular sensory result

didactics, education, educational activity, instruction, pedagogy, teaching
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

grooming, preparation, training
activity leading to skilled behavior

representation
an activity that stands as an equivalent of something or results in an equivalent

creation, creative activity
the human act of creating

disassembly, dismantlement, dismantling
the act of taking something apart (as a piece of machinery)

rainmaking
activity intended to produce rain

devising, fashioning, making
the act that results in something coming to be

foliation
the production of foil by cutting or beating metal into thin leaves

puncture
the act of puncturing or perforating

hunt, hunting, search
the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone

employment, exercise, usage, use, utilisation, utilization
the act of using

action, military action
a military engagement

military operation, operation
activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)

battle, conflict, struggle
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)

revolution
the overthrow of a government by those who are governed

aggression, hostility
violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked

measure, measurement, measuring, mensuration
the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule

calibration, standardisation, standardization
the act of checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of a measuring instrument

organisation, organization
the activity or result of distributing or disposing persons or things properly or methodically

grouping
the activity of putting things together in groups

support, supporting
the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

continuance, continuation
the act of continuing an activity without interruption

procedure, process
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result

ceremony
any activity that is performed in an especially solemn elaborate or formal way

ceremony
the proper or conventional behavior on some solemn occasion

worship
the activity of worshipping

activating, activation, energizing
the activity of causing to have energy and be active

concealing, concealment, hiding
the activity of keeping something secret

emplacement, locating, location, placement, position, positioning
the act of putting something in a certain place

lodging
the act of lodging

occupancy, tenancy
an act of being a tenant or occupant

sojourn, visit
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)

layover, stop, stopover
a brief stay in the course of a journey

provision, supply, supplying
the activity of supplying or providing something

demand
the act of demanding

pause
temporary inactivity

wait, waiting
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

ease, relaxation, repose, rest
freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)

idleness, idling, loafing
having no employment

delay, holdup
the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time

pleasure
an activity that affords enjoyment

delectation, enjoyment
the act of receiving pleasure from something

lamentation, mourning
the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief

laughter
the activity of laughing; the manifestation of joy or mirth or scorn

antagonism
(biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure

obstruction
the act of obstructing

complication
the act or process of complicating

deterrence
the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety

bar, prevention
the act of preventing

social activity
activity considered appropriate on social occasions

communalism
the practice of communal living and common ownership

alliance, confederation
the act of forming an alliance or confederation

decolonisation, decolonization
the action of changing from colonial to independent status

disbandment
the act of disbanding

disestablishment
the act terminating an established state of affairs; especially ending a connection with the Church of England

redistribution
distributing again

dispensation
the act of dispensing (giving out in portions)

allocation, allotment, apportioning, apportionment, assignation, parceling, parcelling
the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan

deal
the act of distributing playing cards

revenue sharing
distribution of part of the federal tax income to states and municipalities

share-out, sharing
a distribution in shares

lending, loaning
disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned

market, market place, marketplace
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold

dealing, dealings, transaction
the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities)

stampede
a headlong rush of people on a common impulse

social control
control exerted (actively or passively) by group action

politics
the activities and affairs involved in managing a state or a government

canalisation, canalization
the production of a canal or a conversion to canals

preparation, readying
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

coup, coup d'etat, putsch, takeover
a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force

internationalisation, internationalization
the act of bringing something under international control

nationalisation, nationalization
the action of forming or becoming a nation

destabilisation, destabilization
the action of destabilizing; making something less stable (especially of a government or country or economy)

exchange, interchange
the act of changing one thing for another thing

exchange, rally
(sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes

compliance, submission
the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another

competition, contention, rivalry
the act of competing as for profit or a prize

resistance
group action in opposition to those in power

nonresistance
group refusal to resort to violence even in defense against violence

due process, due process of law
(law) the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards

action
an act by a government body or supranational organization

legalisation, legalization, legitimation
the act of making lawful

separation
the social act of separating or parting company

desegregation, integrating, integration
the action of incorporating a racial or religious group into a community

cooperation
joint operation or action

brainstorming
a group problem-solving technique in which members spontaneously share ideas and solutions

aid, assist, assistance, help
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

support
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

employment, engagement
the act of giving someone a job

behavior, behaviour, conduct, doings
manner of acting or controlling yourself

behavior, behaviour
(psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation

civility, politeness
the act of showing regard for others

reverence
an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy)

assemblage, assembly, gathering
the social act of assembling

attendance, attending
the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)

nonattendance
the failure to attend

getting even, paying back, return
a reciprocal group action

democratisation, democratization
the action of making something democratic

engagement, involution, involvement, participation
the act of sharing in the activities of a group

non-engagement, non-involvement, nonparticipation
withdrawing from the activities of a group

emanation, emission
the act of emitting; causing to flow forth

leadership, leading
the activity of leading

precedence, precedency, precession
the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)

solo
any activity that is performed alone without assistance

buzz
a confusion of activity and gossip

fun
violent and excited activity

hell, sin
violent and excited activity

consultation, reference
the act of referring or consulting

accenting, accentuation, emphasizing
the act of giving special importance or significance to something

outlet, release, vent
activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion

last
a person's dying act; the final thing a person can do

beatification
the action of rendering supremely blessed and extremely happy

ethnic cleansing
the mass expulsion and killing of one ethnic or religious group in an area by another ethnic or religious group in that area

jump-start, jumpstart
starting an automobile engine that has a weak battery by means of jumper cables to another car

mystification, obfuscation
the activity of obscuring people's understanding, leaving them baffled or bewildered

negotiation
the activity or business of negotiating an agreement; coming to terms

socialisation, socialization
the action of establishing on a socialist basis

stupefaction
the action of stupefying; making dull or lethargic

vampirism
the actions or practices of a vampire

transmission
communication by means of transmitted signals

intercommunication
mutual communication; communication with each other

medium
an intervening substance through which signals can travel as a means for communication

channel, communication channel, line
(often plural) a means of communication or access

mail, mail service, post, postal service
the system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office

congratulation, felicitation
the act of acknowledging that someone has an occasion for celebration

slander
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

dramatic art, dramatics, dramaturgy, theater, theatre
the art of writing and producing plays

verbalisation, verbalization
the activity of expressing something in words

discourse, discussion, treatment
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

exhortation
a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action

expression, verbal expression, verbalism
the communication (in speech or writing) of your beliefs or opinions

proposal, proposition
the act of making a proposal

bid, bidding, command, dictation
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

agreement
the verbal act of agreeing

citation
(law) the act of citing (as of spoken words or written passages or legal precedents etc.)

disagreement
the speech act of disagreeing or arguing or disputing

offer, offering
the verbal act of offering

asking, request
the verbal act of requesting

exam, examination, test
a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge

reply, response
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange

description
the act of describing something

affirmation, assertion, statement
the act of affirming or asserting or stating something

denial
the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)

rejection
the speech act of rejecting

objection
the speech act of objecting

informing, making known
a speech act that conveys information

disclosure, revealing, revelation
the act of making something evident

promise
a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future

boast, boasting, jactitation, self-praise
speaking of yourself in superlatives

naming
the verbal act of naming

challenge, gauntlet
a call to engage in a contest or fight

explanation
the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible

denouncement, denunciation
a public act of denouncing

address, speech
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

persuasion, suasion
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action

dissuasion
persuading not to do or believe something; talking someone out of a belief or an intended course of action

expostulation, objection, remonstrance, remonstration
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

resignation
the act of giving up (a claim or office or possession etc.)

contact, touch
a communicative interaction

traffic
the amount of activity over a communication system during a given period of time

disturbance, perturbation
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

growing
(electronics) the production of (semiconductor) crystals by slow crystallization from the molten state

steel production
making steel from pig iron

timekeeping
the act or process of determining the time

type of:
event
something that happens at a given place and time

Pronunciation

/did/

Cite this entry

Style:

Copy citation

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘deed'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback

Word Family

Look up a word, learn it forever.

deed

/did/

/did/

/did/

/did/

Learn with us

Teach with us

Resources

Leaderboards

About

deed

/did/

/did/

/did/

/did/

Vocabulary lists containing deed

Look up deed for the last time

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.