due

1 of 3

adjective

ˈdü How to pronounce due (audio)
ˈdyü
1
: owed or owing as a debt
is due a full week's pay
2
a
: owed or owing as a natural or moral right
finally got the recognition she was due
give credit where credit is due
everyone's right to dissent … is due the full protection of the ConstitutionNat Hentoff
b
: according to accepted notions or procedures : appropriate
with all due respect
3
a
: satisfying or capable of satisfying a need, obligation, or duty : adequate
giving the matter due attention
b
: regular, lawful
due proof of loss
4
: capable of being attributed : ascribable
used with to
this advance is partly due to a few men of geniusA. N. Whitehead
5
: having reached the date at which payment is required : payable
the rent is due
6
: required or expected in the prescribed, normal, or logical course of events : scheduled
The train is due at noon.
When is the baby due?
also : expected to give birth
has a friend who is due in April
dueness noun

due

2 of 3

noun

: something due (see due entry 1) or owed: such as
a
: something that rightfully belongs to one
give him his due
b
: a payment or obligation required by law or custom : debt
c
dues plural : fees, charges
membership dues

due

3 of 3

adverb

1
: directly, exactly
due north
2
obsolete : duly

Examples of due in a Sentence

Adjective My wife is due in three weeks. The bill is due at the end of the month. The balance is now due. The amount due is 45 dollars. Noun Dues are increasing this year. Workers are required to join the union and pay dues. He deserves to be given his due. Adverb the island lies due south of the headland a plane flying due east
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
The drop was due mainly to a 29% deliveries slump in China, where Ferrari has a smaller presence. Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024 Related article Violent extremists are increasingly sharing tactics for attacking power stations, DHS warns Philippi appeared in court Monday and is due back November 13, court records show. Karina Tsui, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
But why pay union dues and give up stock options for nothing? Kevin McGill, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024 These laws provide union representation to non-union members in union workplaces – without requiring the payment of union dues. Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for due 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Noun, and Adverb

Middle English, from Anglo-French deu, past participle of dever to owe, from Latin debēre — more at debt

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of due was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near due

Cite this Entry

“Due.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/due. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

due

1 of 3 adjective
1
: owed or owing as a debt or right
respect due to the court
2
: according to accepted beliefs or procedures : appropriate entry 2
treat the judge with due respect
3
a
: sufficient, adequate
arrived in due time
b
: regular entry 1 sense 2a, lawful
due process of law
4
: being a result
used with to
accidents due to carelessness
5
: having reached the date at which payment is required
bills are due
6
: required or expected to happen
due to arrive any minute now

due

2 of 3 noun
1
: something owed : debt
2
plural : a regular or legal charge or fee
membership dues

due

3 of 3 adverb

Medical Definition

due

adjective
: expected to be born in the normal course of events
the baby is due in November
also : expected to give birth
she's due this month

Legal Definition

due

adjective
1
a
: satisfying or capable of satisfying an obligation, duty, or requirement under the law
the buyer's due performance under the contract
due proof of loss
b
: proper under the law
obstructing due administration of justice
2
: capable of being attributed
used with to
any loss due to neglect
3
a
: having reached the date at which payment is required : payable
b
: owed though not yet required to be paid
4
Etymology

Adjective

Old French deu, past participle of devoir to owe, from Latin debere

More from Merriam-Webster on due

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