Bring | Definition of bring by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of BRING

transitive verb

1

a : to convey, lead, carry, or cause to come along with one toward the place from which the action is being regarded

b : to cause to be, act, or move in a special way: as (1) : attract <her screams brought the neighbors> (2) : persuade, induce (3) : force, compel (4) : to cause to come into a particular state or condition <bring water to a boil>

c dial : escort, accompany

d : to bear as an attribute or characteristic <brings years of experience to the position>

2

: to cause to exist or occur: as

a : to be the occasion of <winter brings snow>

b : to result in <the drug brought immediate relief>

c : institute <bring legal action>

d : adduce <bring an argument>

3

: prefer <bring charges>

4

: to procure in exchange : sell for

intransitive verb

chiefly Midland : yield, produce

— bring·er noun

— bring forth

1

: bear <brought forth fruit>

2

: to give birth to : produce

3

: adduce <bring forth persuasive arguments>

— bring forward

1

: to produce to view : introduce <brought new evidence forward>

2

: to carry (a total) forward

— bring home

: to make unmistakably clear

— bring to account

1

: to bring to book

2

: reprimand

— bring to bear

: to use with effect <bring pressure to bear>

— bring to book

: to compel to give an account

— bring to light

: disclose, reveal

— bring to mind

: recall

— bring to terms

: to compel to agree, assent, or submit

— bring up the rear

: to come last or behind

See bring defined for English-language learners

See bring defined for kids

Origin of BRING

Middle English, from Old English bringan; akin to Old High German bringan to bring, Welsh hebrwng to accompany

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BRING

Synonyms: beget, breed, effect, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield

Definition of BRING for Kids

1

: to cause to come by carrying or leading : take along <Students were told to bring lunches.> <Bring all your friends!>

2

: to cause to reach a certain state or take a certain action <Bring the water to a boil.> <I couldn't bring myself to say it.>

3

: to cause to arrive or exist <Their cries brought help.> <The storm brought snow and ice.>

4

: to sell for <The house brought a high price.>

— bring·er noun

— bring about

: to cause to happen

— bring back

: to cause to return to a person's memory <Seeing him brought it all back to me.>

— bring forth

: to cause to happen or exist : produce <Her statement brought forth protest.>

— bring on

: to cause to happen to <You've brought these problems on yourself.>

— bring out

1

: to produce and make available <The manufacturer brought out a new model.>

2

: to cause to appear <His friends bring out the best in him.>

— bring to

: to bring back from unconsciousness : revive

— bring up

1

: to bring to maturity through care and education <bring up a child>

2

: to mention when talking <bring up a subject>

Learn More About BRING

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "bring"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "bring"

Nglish: Translation of "bring" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "bring" for Arabic speakers

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