administration

American  

[ad-min-uh-strey-shuhn] / ædˌmɪn əˈstreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the management of any office, business, or organization; direction.

2. the function of a political state in exercising its governmental duties.

3. the duty or duties of an administrator in exercising the executive functions of the position.

4. the management by an administrator of such duties.

5. a body of administrators, especially in government.

6. Often Administration the executive branch of the U.S. government during a particular president's term of office: The current administration has threatened to veto the new bill.

   The Reagan administration followed President Carter's.

   The current administration has threatened to veto the new bill.

7. the period of service of a governmental administrator or body of governmental administrators.

8. any group entrusted with executive or administrative powers.

   the administration of a college.

9. Law. management of a decedent's estate by an executor or administrator or of a trust estate by a trustee.

10. an act of dispensing, especially formally.

    administration of the sacraments.

11. supervision of the taking of an oath or the like.

12. application, as of a salve or medicine.

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administration British  

/ ədˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. management of the affairs of an organization, such as a business or institution

2. the duties of an administrator

3. the body of people who administer an organization

4. the conduct of the affairs of government

5. term of office: often used of presidents, governments, etc

6. the executive branch of government along with the public service; the government as a whole

7. (often capital) the political executive, esp of the US; the government

8. a government board, agency, authority, etc

9. property law

   1. the conduct or disposal of the estate of a deceased person

   2. the management by a trustee of an estate subject to a trust

10. 1. the administering of something, such as a sacrament, oath, or medical treatment

    2. the thing that is administered

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• administrative
  adjective
• proadministration
  adjective
• superadministration
  noun
• administratively
  adverb
• misadministration
  noun
• administrational
  adjective
• subadministration
  noun
• self-administration
  noun
• antiadministration
  noun
• preadministration
  noun

Etymology

Origin of administration

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English administracio(u)n, from Latin administrātiōn- (stem of administrātiō ) “service”; see administrate, -ion

Explanation

Use the word administration to describe the group of people running an organization: “University administration declared Wednesday a snow day and sent everyone home early.” You’ve probably heard the noun administration used to describe a political group, such as the Bush administration or the Obama administration. It can also be used to refer to the daily activities involved in running a group or a program: “Carla handles the administration of the summer camp.”

Example Sentences

U.S. infrastructure investing kicked off under President Joe Biden’s administration, with the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

In a press release announcing the project, VA Secretary Doug Collins said the Trump administration is restoring the true focus of the West L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

During President Trump’s first term, the administration signed a $1.5-million deal with the organization.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

The administration wants to gain visibility into frontier capabilities without slowing American labs and advantaging China.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

President Hayes, who attempted to reform the spoils system during his administration, defied Conkling by replacing Arthur.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• board
• bureau
• cabinet
• committee
• department
• executive
• legislature
• management
• ministry
• presidency