supplyverb [ T ]
uk/səˈplaɪ/us/səˈplaɪ/B2 to provide something that is wanted or needed, often in large quantities and over a long period of time:
Electrical power is supplied by underground cables.
Three people have been arrested for supplying arms to the terrorists.
The company has supplied the royal family (= provided them with something they need) for years.
At the beginning of termthe semester, students are supplied with a list of books that they are expected to read.
More examples
- A healthy diet should supply all necessary vitamins and minerals.
- We supply systems for clients on the Pacific rim.
- The proposed tidal barrage would generate enough electricity to supply between 60 000 and 80 000 homes.
- All information supplied will be treated confidentially.
- All our electric shavers are supplied with a free travel pouch.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Giving, providing and supplying
- accommodate
- accord
- administer
- administration
- assignment
- award
- deliver
- go round (somewhere)
- hand sth around
- hand sth back
- hand sth in
- hand sth out
- invest
- lay
- spare
- stake sb to sth
- step
- step forward
- supplier
- supply chain
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supplynoun
uk/səˈplaɪ/us/səˈplaɪ/[ C or U ] an amount of something that is available for use:
Whenever she goes out with her baby, she always takes a large supply of baby food with her.
In the capital, demand for cheap housing far outstrips supply (= what is provided).
supplies B2 [ plural ]
food or other things necessary for living:
The refugees are urgently in need of food and medical supplies.
B2 an amount of something available:
Extensive mining has reduced the supplies of coal in the area.
the gas, electricity, etc. supply
the system used for supplying gas, electricity, etc. to people:
Someone has turned off the electricity supply.
in short supply
If something is in short supply, there is little of it available:
Strawberries are in short supply this summer.
More examples
- The water supply is being tested for contamination .
- The clinic provides a free supply of contraceptives on request.
- The world's supply of agricultural land is shrinking fast.
- If this bill is not paid within five days, your gas supply will be cut off.
- He seems to think that I have an endless supply of money.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Giving, providing and supplying
- accommodate
- accord
- administer
- administration
- assignment
- award
- deliver
- go round (somewhere)
- hand sth around
- hand sth back
- hand sth in
- hand sth out
- invest
- lay
- spare
- stake sb to sth
- step
- step forward
- supplier
- supply chain
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Important and essential things
Scarce, inadequate and not enough
Idiom(s)
supply and demand