respond

1 of 2

verb

re·​spond ri-ˈspänd 

responded; responding; responds

intransitive verb

1

: to say something in return : make an answer

respond to criticism

2

a

: to react in response

responded to a call for help

b

: to show favorable reaction

respond to surgery

3

: to be answerable

respond in damages

transitive verb

: reply

responder

ri-ˈspän-dər 

noun

respond

2 of 2

noun

: an engaged pillar supporting an arch or closing a colonnade or arcade

Synonyms

Verb

• react
• reply

Examples of respond in a Sentence

Verb

She hasn't yet responded to my letter.

My mother responded to my request with a firm no.

The teacher asked a question, but the student didn't respond.

“Are you ready?” he asked. “No,” she responded.

When I asked him what he was doing, he responded that it was none of my business.

Police quickly responded to the call for help.

She responded to their decision by threatening to quit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Miami scored just eight points in the first six minutes of the third quarter, allowing Brooklyn to tie the game at 61. Luckily for the struggling Heat, Miami responded to Brooklyn evening the score with a 7-0 run of its own. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025

Beyond Trump's criticism of FEMA, he's suggested limiting the federal government's role in responding to disasters, echoing comments from conservative allies who have proposed reducing funding and responsibility. —Will Weissert, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025

Noun

After Alexa responds, Santa's voice chimes in with an update. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Stuck between the oppressive security system and a darkening national political situation, the two respond in contrasting ways. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English respounden, from Anglo-French respundre, from Latin respondēre to promise in return, answer, from re- + spondēre to promise — more at spouse

Noun

Middle English respounde, literally, reply, from Anglo-French respuns, respunt response

First Known Use

Verb

1572, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

respond

verb

re·​spond

ri-ˈspänd

1

: to say something in return : make an answer

2

a

: to react in response

note how the animal's eyes respond to light

b

: to have a favorable reaction

the patient is responding to treatment

Medical Definition

respond

intransitive verb

re·​spond ri-ˈspänd 

1

: to react in response

2

: to show favorable reaction

respond to chemotherapy