respond

Formsresponds, responding, responded

Pluralresponds

1. 1
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To say something back when someone speaks to you or asks you a question.

   Like hitting the ball back when someone throws it to you.

   Please respond by Friday if you plan to come to the party.

   When the teacher asked her name, she responded that it was Maria.

   Similarreply, answer, retort, counter

   Note
2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To do something because of what happens to you or around you.

   Like pulling your hand back fast when you touch something hot.

   The dog responds when you call its name.

   Firefighters respond quickly when the alarm sounds.

   Similarreact

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To match something else or to go well with it.

   Like puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

   The two towers respond to each other across the square.

   The shape of the new door responds well to the old windows beside it.

   Similarcorrespond, echo, mirror, match, answer

   Note
4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To have to pay money, for example when a court says so.

   If the goods are lost, the seller must respond for their value.

   The company responded for the repair costs after the accident.

   Similaranswer

5. 5
   nouncountable

   A short piece sung or spoken between the parts of a church reading.

   Like the chorus of a song that comes back between the verses.

   The choir sang a respond after each part of the reading.

   Everyone joined in the respond before the priest continued.

   Similarresponsory, response

6. 6
   nouncountable

   A half-pillar built into a wall to hold up one end of an arch.

   Like a bracket on a wall that holds up one end of a shelf.

   The arch rests on a respond built into the church wall.

   Workers repaired the stone respond where the bridge meets the bank.

   Similarpilaster

   Note

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