v.1. To place something in some direction: Put those books to the left of the shelf.
2. To cause something to be considered or evaluated by someone or by some means: The committee put the matter to a vote. Several questions were put to me, and I couldn't answer any of them.
3. To make a formal or strong claim to someone that something is true, especially in a court of law: I put it to you that you were not, in fact, at home when the fire broke out.
4. To add something to, or associate something with, something else: I can't put my name to this poor proposal. She remembered his face, but couldn't put a name to it.
5. To have someone perform some task: The company put the new employee to work immediately.
6. To head for shore. Used of boats and ships: The ship put to and was home in four hours.