HTTP defines a set of request methods to indicate the desired action to be performed for a given resource. Although they can also be nouns, these request methods are sometimes referred to as HTTP verbs. Each of them implements a different semantic, but some common features are shared by a group of them: e.g. a request method can be safe, idempotent, or cacheable.

The GET method requests a representation of the specified resource. Requests using GET should only retrieve data.

The HEAD method asks for a response identical to a GET request, but without the response body.

The POST method submits an entity to the specified resource, often causing a change in state or side effects on the server.

The PUT method replaces all current representations of the target resource with the request payload.

The DELETE method deletes the specified resource.

The CONNECT method establishes a tunnel to the server identified by the target resource.

The OPTIONS method describes the communication options for the target resource.

The TRACE method performs a message loop-back test along the path to the target resource.

The PATCH method applies partial modifications to a resource.