What does redeliver mean?
Redeliver means to deliver, hand over, or provide something a second time. It is especially associated with documents, messages, orders, parcels, and legal proceedings, where an item has already been sent, formally presented, or taken into someone's possession. For example, a courier may be asked to redeliver a missed package, while a court may order a party to redeliver property or possession to another person. Although it can be used more generally, the word often has a procedural or administrative tone and is less conversational than the phrase 'deliver again.' Redeliver can also imply a corrective action: the second delivery may formally restore what was withheld or restore control to someone who previously held it. The prefix re- makes the distinction from the broader verb deliver explicit.
verbTo deliver or hand over again, especially a document, message, order, judgment, or item that has already been delivered or needs to be provided a second time.
- To deliver, hand over, or provide something again.
- To transfer possession or control back to a person or party, especially under legal proceedings.
"The court ordered the company to redeliver the original contract to the plaintiff's attorney."
"The courier was unable to deliver the package and had to redeliver it the following morning."
"The judge ordered the landlord to redeliver possession of the apartment to the tenant."
Redeliver has a legal second act: in court proceedings, it can mean restoring possession to someone who was wrongly deprived of it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does redeliver come from?
Redeliver was formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning 'again,' with deliver. Deliver came through Old French from Latin delegare, a compound of de- and legare, meaning 'to send or assign by a legal commission.' The family also includes related English forms such as delegation, delegate, and deliverable.
Related word forms
How redeliver is actually used
The verb is most common in legal, administrative, commercial, and publishing contexts. It can sound formal, and in many modern uses a more familiar phrase such as 'deliver again' is preferred.
Easily confused with redeliver
Deliver means to bring or transfer something to its destination, whereas redeliver means to do so again or to provide something that has already been delivered or improperly surrendered.