administer
Americanverb (used with object)
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to manage (affairs, a government, etc.); have executive charge of.
to administer the law.
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to bring into use or operation: to administer last rites.
to administer justice;
to administer last rites.
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to make application of; give.
to administer medicine.
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to supervise the formal taking of (an oath or the like).
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Law. to manage or dispose of, as a decedent's estate by an executor or administrator or a trust estate by a trustee.
verb (used without object)
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to contribute assistance; bring aid or supplies (usually followed byto ).
to administer to those in need of aid.
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to perform the duties of an administrator.
She administers quite effectively.
verb
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(also intr) to direct or control (the affairs of a business, government, etc)
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to put into execution; dispense
administer justice
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to give or apply (medicine, assistance, etc) as a remedy or relief
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to apply formally; perform
to administer extreme unction
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to supervise or impose the taking of (an oath, etc)
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to manage or distribute (an estate, property, etc)
Synonym Usage
See rule.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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administrantnoun
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nonadministrantadjective
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well-administeredadjective
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self-administeringadjective
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unadministeredadjective
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self-administeredadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has administeredperfect 3rd person singular
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have administeredperfect
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are administeringprogressive
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am administeringprogressive 1st person singular
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is administeringprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been administeringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been administeringperfect progressive
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administerssingular 3rd person
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administeringparticiple
Past
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had administeredperfect
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were administeringprogressive plural
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was administeringprogressive singular
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had been administeringperfect progressive
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administeredparticiple
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administeredsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of administer
First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin administrāre “to assist, carry out, manage the affairs of” ( see ad-, minister); replacing Middle English amynistre (with a- 5 ), from Middle French aministrer
Explanation
When you administer something, you give it to others. This can apply to a dose of medicine, an order, a survey, or a punishment. Administer can also mean to run something — such as a school or an office. The word administer belongs to a family of words, all having to do with being in charge: administration, administrator, and administrative. Strangely, administer comes from the Latin word minister meaning "servant." So, if your boss or principal administers an instruction that you disagree with, just think of that person as your servant. Doing so will help you carry out your duties with a smile.
Vocabulary lists containing administer
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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Marbury v. Madison (1803)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers also believe it may make large scale vaccination campaigns easier and faster, particularly in settings where traditional injections are more difficult to administer.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
But the fewer surprises that are in store for your daughter later on, the easier it will be for her to administer your estate.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
Since 2015, NHS patients have received the world's best-selling drug through a drip – or intravenous infusion – which can take more than an hour to administer in hospital.
From BBC • May 3, 2026
The company contracts with state governments to administer Medicaid benefits, and BofA Securities believes that business will improve over the next few years as risk pools stabilize.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
When psychologists administer the IAT, they usually don’t use paper and pencil tests like the ones I’ve just given you.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
