Word

deed

noun C1

/diːd/

Meanings

noun

a legal document that proves ownership of property or records a formal agreement

noun

an intentional act, especially one that is brave, kind, or morally important

Definition

A deed is an official written document that proves ownership or a legal agreement, especially for property.

A deed is a formal legal document that records an agreement or confirms who owns something, most commonly land or a house. It is usually signed and sometimes witnessed or notarized, depending on the legal system. The word can also mean an intentional action, especially one that is brave or kind, but the document meaning is often the most common in formal contexts.

Examples

I kept the deed in a fireproof box and scanned a copy for my records.
She reviewed the deed carefully before she signed anything at the closing meeting.
They discovered a discrepancy in the deed after they compared it with the property map.
He was remembered less for his speeches than for the deed that protected a colleague from blame.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse deed (a legal document) with title (the legal right of ownership), but the deed is the document that records the transfer or ownership.