supply: Meaning and Definition of

sup•ply

Pronunciation: (su-plī'), [key]
— v., n., pl. -plied, -ply•ing, -plies.
—v.t.
  1. to furnish or provide (a person, establishment, place, etc.) with what is lacking or requisite: to supply someone clothing; to supply a community with electricity.
  2. to furnish or provide (something wanting or requisite): to supply electricity to a community.
  3. to make up, compensate for, or satisfy (a deficiency, loss, need, etc.): The TVA supplied the need for cheap electricity.
  4. to fill or occupy as a substitute, as a vacancy, a pulpit, etc.: During the summer local clergymen will supply the pulpit.
—v.i.
  1. to fill the place of another, esp. the pulpit of a church, temporarily or as a substitute: Who will supply until the new minister arrives?
—n.
  1. the act of supplying, furnishing, providing, satisfying, etc.: to begin the supply of household help.
  2. something that is supplied: The storm cut off our water supply.
  3. a quantity of something on hand or available, as for use; a stock or store: Did you see our new supply of shirts?
  4. Usually,a provision, stock, or store of food or other things necessary for maintenance: to lay in supplies for the winter.
  5. the quantity of a commodity that is in the market and available for purchase or that is available for purchase at a particular price.
    1. all items necessary for the equipment, maintenance, and operation of a military command, including food, clothing, arms, ammunition, fuel, materials, and machinery.
    2. procurement, distribution, maintenance, and salvage of supplies.
  6. a person who fills a vacancy or takes the place of another, esp. temporarily.
  7. reinforcements.
  8. aid.

sup•ply

Pronunciation: (sup'lē), [key]
— adv.
  1. in a supple manner or way; supplely.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: