v.1. To place something in a high or upright position: I put the books up on the shelf. I put up the hood on my rain jacket. I put my hair up in a bun.
2. To place something in a prominent position: They put signs up all over town, hoping someone would recognize their lost cat. The superintendent put up a notice on the door advising residents to conserve water.
3. To erect some structure: They're going to put up three new apartment buildings on this street. The children put a tent up in the backyard and slept outside.
4. To nominate someone: The committee put up three new candidates for mayor. The Green Party put candidates up in many races.
5. To preserve some food by jarring, canning, or salting: He put up six jars of jam. She put half the cucumbers up for pickles.
6. To provide some amount of money for some purpose: The company put up half of the money for the new park. The agency put $1,000 up toward the scholarship fund.
7. To provide lodgings for someone: Could you put me up for the night? I put up my guests in the spare bedroom.
8. To startle deliberately some animal that one is hunting: We put up the pheasants but didn't manage to shoot any.
9. To offer something, especially for sale: I put up some of my antique furniture to raise money for my trip. They put their house up for sale and moved to Houston.
10. To make a display or appearance of something: They put up a good bluff, but I knew they were lying.
11. To engage in something; carry on something: The boxer certainly put up a good fight.
12. put up to To persuade someone to commit some funny, mischievous, or malicious act: My older brother put me up to making a prank telephone call.
13. put up with To tolerate someone or something: I can't put up with that awful noise from next door.