Definition of “perform” - English Dictionary

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“perform” in English

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performverb

uk ​ /pəˈfɔːm/ us ​ /pɚˈfɔːrm/

perform verb (DO)

B2 [ T ] to do an action or piece of work:

Computers can perform a variety of tasks.
The operation will be performed next week.
Most of the students performed well in the exam.
perform well/badly

› to operate/not operate in a satisfactory way:

The equipment performed well during the tests.
These tyres perform badly/poorly in hot weather.

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perform verb (ENTERTAIN)

B1 [ I or T ] to entertain people by dancing, singing, acting, or playing music:

Thomas and Elisa performed a rousing duet for violin and piano.
She composes and performs her own music.
A major Hollywood star will be performing on stage tonight.
There are plans to ban circuses with performing animals.

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(Definition of “perform” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“perform” in American English

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performverb [ I/T ]

us ​ /pərˈfɔrm/

perform verb [ I/T ] (DO)

› to do an action or piece of work:

[ T ] The operation was performed with the patient under general anesthesia.

› If something performs well or badly, it operates satisfactorily or does not operate satisfactorily:

[ I ] The car performed poorly during the tests.

perform verb [ I/T ] (ENTERTAIN)

› to entertain people by singing, dancing, playing music, etc.:

[ T ] The magician performed a number of tricks that had us gasping in surprise.
performer
noun [ C ] us ​ /pərˈfɔr·mər/

›

By the age of 12, she was a seasoned circus performer.
performing
adjective [ not gradable ] us ​ /pərˈfɔr·mɪŋ/

(Definition of “perform” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“perform” in Business English

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performverb

uk ​ /pəˈfɔːm/ us ​

› [ T ] to do a job, task, or duty:

perform an operation/task/role As part of the assessment, candidates were asked to perform a group task.
The regulator failed to perform his duty to seek an enforcement order.

› [ I ] to do something in a satisfactory or expected way:

The threat of redundancies was affecting the team's ability to perform.
How well do these savings accounts perform in the longer term?
perform well/badly/poorly The company's core brand is performing well.
The fund has been the top performing ethical unit trust for five years.

(Definition of “perform” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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