supply

suh-PLY/səˈplaɪ/

Verbsupplies, supplying, supplied

Noun pluralsupplies

11 meanings of supply

Practice

1
provideverbtransitive
To give someone or something what they need or want, or make it available for use.
Like a parent packing lunch so a child has food for the day.
Local farms supply the school with fresh vegetables.
The company supplied new computers to every classroom.
Usagesupply something to people, or supply people with something.
Similarprovide, furnish
2
things needednouncountableusually plural
The food and goods that people gather and keep for use, especially for a trip or hard time.
Like the food and tools you pack before a long camping trip.
The hikers carried enough supplies to last a week.
The supply truck brought food and water to the camp.
UsageSay supplies (food and water supplies), but supply truck before another noun.
Similarprovisions, stores, rations
3
nouncountable or uncountable
The amount of something that is ready to be used or sold.
Like how much candy is left in the jar.
The town keeps a large supply of clean water for emergencies.
Factories increased their supply of cars to meet demand.
UsageSay a supply of something. In short supply means there is not enough.
Similarstock
Oppositedemand
4
act of givingnoununcountable
The act of giving or bringing something to those who need it.
Like the act of handing out water bottles to runners during a race.
The supply of clean water to villages improved their health.
Power supply to the building was cut during the storm.
UsageSay the supply of something to people, or water supply.
Similarprovision, delivery, distribution

Less common meanings

5
make up forverbtransitive
To make up for something that is missing or lacking.
Like adding water to a glass that is only half full.
Vitamins can supply what a poor diet lacks.
Try to supply the missing word in each sentence.
UsageThe shortage or gap comes after the verb: supply the shortfall.
Similarcover, fill, meet
Note
6
a stand-innouncountable
A person who fills in for another for a short time, such as a teacher or priest.
Like a stand-in who steps in when the main person can't be there.
The school called in a supply to cover the math class.
Our regular teacher was sick, so a supply took the lesson.
UsageMost often said as supply teacher.
Similarsubstitute, stand-in, replacement, locum
7
verbarchaictransitive
To take the place of something or someone else.
Burning ships the banished sun supply.
1666, Edmund Waller, Instructions to a Painter
The sun was set, and Vesper, to supply His absent beams, had lighted up the sky.
1700, [John] Dryden, “The Flower and the Leaf: Or, The Lady in the Arbour. A Vision.”
Similarreplace
Note
8
cover for someoneverbtransitive or intransitive
To do another person's job for a short time, especially as a priest or teacher.
Like a friend who plays in the game when a teammate can't.
Our church has no priest right now, so a visiting priest will supply.
In Britain, some teachers supply at a different school each week.
UsageSay a teacher or priest supplies at a school or church.
9
verbtransitive
To fill something up or keep it full.
Like a tap keeping a bathtub full while water drains out.
Wells supply the tanks with water all summer.
Rain supplied the lake throughout the spring.
UsageOften said as: the lake is supplied by rivers.
Similarfill, replenish
Oppositedrain, empty
Note
10
public fundsnouncountable or uncountableplural
Money that lawmakers approve to pay for the country's yearly costs.
Like a family deciding how much money to set aside for the year's bills.
Parliament voted the supply needed to run the country next year.
The government cannot spend without supply approved by lawmakers.
UsageOften used without an article: lawmakers vote supply.
Note
11
adverb
In a soft, bending way that is easy and not stiff.
His voice was playful and full; his back was bent supply.
1906, Ford Madox Ford, The fifth queen: and how she came to courtHere, supply means in a bendy, flexible way.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of supply apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin "suppleo", meaning to fill up or complete, which came into English through Old French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Supply ultimately comes from Latin suppleo through Old French. fr.wiktionary.org
Latin suppleo means to fill up or complete. en.wiktionary.org