would

verb

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\ wəd, əd, d, ˈwu̇d

Definition of would

past tense of will

1 —used in auxiliary function to express plan or intentionsaid we would come

2 : should knew I would enjoy the trip would be glad to know the answer

3 —used in auxiliary function to express consent or choicewould put it off if he could

4 —used in auxiliary function to express probability or presumption in past or present timewould have won if I had not tripped

5 —used in auxiliary function to express a request with which voluntary compliance is expectedwould you please help us

6 —used in auxiliary function with rather or sooner to express preferencehe would sooner die than face them

7a —used in auxiliary function in the conclusion of a conditional sentence to express a contingency or possibilityif he were coming, he would be here now

b —used in auxiliary function in a noun clause (such as one completing a statement of desire, request, or advice)we wish that he would go

8 —used in auxiliary function to express custom or habitual actionwe would meet often for lunch

9 : could the barrel would hold 20 gallons

10 —used in auxiliary function to express doubt or uncertaintythe explanation … would seem satisfactory

11a —used in auxiliary function to express wish, desire, or intentthose who would forbid gambling

b —used in auxiliary function to express willingness or preferenceas ye would that men should do to you — Luke 6:31 (King James Version)

12a : strongly desire : wish I would I were young again —often used without a subject and with that in a past or conditional constructionwould that I had heeded your advice

b archaic : wished, desired

c archaic : wish for : want

Examples of would in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Even two degrees would be enough to bring heatwaves and droughts and to melt polar ice, raising sea levels. — The Economist, "If nuclear power had taken off What if nuclear power had taken off in the 1970s?," 4 July 2020 The increase in evictions would likely have been higher if not for the rental assistance programs launched in June by Milwaukee County and the state. — Cary Spivak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee evictions up 26% in June as Berrada companies continue to be a force in eviction court," 4 July 2020 The return on investment would be minimal, Quantock said, and the downside immense for Putin. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "Do 'bounties' on US troops in Afghanistan reflect a line crossed or 'nothing new' in long US-Russia history?," 4 July 2020 People who commit violent crimes, including crimes against children, would not be eligible for credits. — Andrew Oxford, The Arizona Republic, "Backers of Arizona criminal justice reform and health care initiatives submit signatures," 4 July 2020 If such an ordinance passes, Cincinnati would be the second major city in Ohio to mandate masks. — Sarah Brookbank, The Enquirer, "Mandatory mask orders in Ohio: Dayton passes order, Cincinnati could be next.," 3 July 2020 Danny Ranville, a young husband and father with twins on the way, had no idea if things would be OK. — Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, "Easy-to-miss Mackinaw City brewery's beloved food saved it during coronavirus," 3 July 2020 Of those, 281 are in intensive-care beds, occupying about 63% of the ICU beds that would be otherwise available. — CBS News, "Florida "heading a million miles an hour in the wrong direction" as COVID-19 cases keep rising, doctor says," 3 July 2020 But obsessing over the lack of human narratives would be to miss the larger point of this important read and its impeccable timing. — Alfredo Corchado, Washington Post, "What’s gone wrong in America? An outsider explains.," 3 July 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'would.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for would

would

verb

English Language Learners Definition of would

—used to indicate what someone said or thought about what was going to happen or be done

—used to talk about a possible situation that has not happened or that you are imagining

—used with have to talk about something that did not happen or was not done

See the full definition for would in the English Language Learners Dictionary

would

verb

\ wəd

, ˈwu̇d \

Kids Definition of would

past tense of will

1 —used as a helping verb to show that something might be likely or meant to happen under certain conditionsThey would come if they could.If I were you, I would save my money.

2 —used to describe what someone said, expected, or thoughtShe said she would help me.I thought it would take an hour.

3 —used as a politer form of willWould you please stop?

4 : prefers or prefer to They would die rather than surrender.

5 : was or were going to We wish that you would go.

6 : is or are able to : could No stone would break that window.

7 : strongly desire : wish I would that I were home.

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