due Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun that which is deserved or owed
- give the devil his due
noun a payment that is due (e.g., as the price of membership)
- the society dropped him for non-payment of dues
adjective owed and payable immediately or on demand
- payment is due
adjective satellite scheduled to arrive
- the train is due in 15 minutes
adjective suitable to or expected in the circumstances
- all due respect
- due cause to honor them
- a long due promotion
- in due course
- due esteem
- exercising due care
adjective satellite capable of being assigned or credited to
imputable; ascribable; referable.
- punctuation errors ascribable to careless proofreading
- the cancellation of the concert was due to the rain
- the oversight was not imputable to him
adverb directly or exactly; straight
- went due North

OF. deu, F. dû, p. p. of devoir to owe, fr. L. debere. See Debt, Habit, and cf. Duty.

Owed, as a debt; that ought to be paid or done to or for another; payable; owing and demandable.
Justly claimed as a right or property; proper; suitable; becoming; appropriate; fit.
Her obedience, which is due to me. Shak.

With dirges due, in sad array, Slow through the churchway path we saw him borne. Gray.
Such as (a thing) ought to be; fulfilling obligation; proper; lawful; regular; appointed; sufficient; exact; as, due process of law; due service; in due time.
Appointed or required to arrive at a given time; as, the steamer was due yesterday.
Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
This effect is due to the attraction of the sun. J. D. Forbes.

That which is owed; debt; that which one contracts to pay, or do, to or for another; that which belongs or may be claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality requires to be done; a fee; a toll.
He will give the devil his due. Shak.

Yearly little dues of wheat, and wine, and oil. Tennyson.
Right; just title or claim.
The key of this infernal pit by due . . . I keep. Milton.