supply
The company supplies office equipment to businesses nationwide.
The company regularly provides office equipment to businesses across the country.
To make something available for use or to provide.
The store supplies fresh vegetables to local restaurants.
The store regularly provides fresh vegetables to nearby restaurants.
This river supplies water to the entire city.
This river is the main source of water for the entire city.
Commonly used in business, economics, and everyday contexts.
An amount of something that is available to be used.
The factory has a large supply of raw materials.
The factory stores a significant quantity of raw materials for production.
Food supplies were running low during the storm.
There was not enough food left during the storm.
Often used in plural form ('supplies') for resources like food, water, or materials.
In economics, the total amount of a good or service available to consumers.
The supply of oil decreased due to geopolitical tensions.
Oil availability dropped because of conflicts between countries.
Market equilibrium occurs when supply meets demand.
The point where the amount of goods available matches consumer demand.
Key concept in economics, often paired with 'demand'.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Prepositions with 'Supply'
Use 'with' when indicating what is provided (e.g., 'The tank is supplied with water'). Use 'to' when indicating recipients (e.g., 'We supply tools to builders').
Gold Rule
Avoid Redundancy
Do not use 'supply with' when 'supply' alone suffices (e.g., 'The well supplies water' is correct; 'The well supplies with water' is incorrect).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'supplie', from Old French 'souplier' (to supply), from Latin 'supplere' (to fill up, complete), from 'sub-' (up to) + 'plere' (to fill).
Usage Notes
As a verb, 'supply' often takes a direct object (e.g., 'supply food'). As a noun, it can refer to physical resources ('medical supplies') or abstract availability ('supply of ideas').