| Share

Dictionary

sup•ply

Pronunciation: (su-plī'), [key]
—v., -plied, -ply•ing,
—n., pl. -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.
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, supplies. a provision, stock, or store of food or other things necessary for maintenance: to lay in supplies for the winter.
5. Econ.the quantity of a commodity that is in the market and available for purchase or that is available for purchase at a particular price.
6. supplies, Mil.
a. all items necessary for the equipment, maintenance, and operation of a military command, including food, clothing, arms, ammunition, fuel, materials, and machinery.
b. procurement, distribution, maintenance, and salvage of supplies.
7. a person who fills a vacancy or takes the place of another, esp. temporarily.
8. supplies. Obs.reinforcements.
9. Obs.aid.