Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

administrator

American  
[ad-min-uh-strey-ter] / ædˈmɪn əˌstreɪ tər /

noun

  1. a person who manages or has a talent for managing.

  2. Law. a person appointed by a court to take charge of the estate of a decedent, but not appointed in the decedent's will.

  3. Computers. Also admin

    1. a person who manages and supports a computer system or network, as in a business or other organization.

      the company’s system administrator;

      a database administrator.

    2. a person who determines the site policies, appoints moderators, and manages the technical operation of an internet message board or other interactive website.

      a forum administrator.

    3. a user account on a home computer accessible only by the user who manages the computer system.

    4. a user who has access to this user account.


administrator British  
/ ədˈmɪnɪˌstreɪtə /

noun

  1. a person who administers the affairs of an organization, official body, etc

  2. property law a person authorized to manage an estate, esp when the owner has died intestate or without having appointed executors

  3. a person who manages a computer system

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of administrator

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French administratour, from Latin administrātor, equivalent to administrā(re) “to assist, serve” ( see administer) + -tor -tor

Explanation

The boss, the head honcho, the person in charge: An administrator is the person responsible for managing things and running the show. Administrators are often found directing government agencies, organizing institutions, or leading school departments. They're the decision makers and the planners, the people who put in place or administer the rules and guidelines. In other words, the administrator's office is probably the last place you want to end up if you're in trouble.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing administrator

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.

There are mostly students of color, myself and a Latino administrator.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

A business administrator educated in the United States, she has served as a lawmaker and leads her party.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Kelly Loeffler, the administrator of the Small Business Administration, was especially fawning.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Those who are unsure whether they’re part of the settlement can contact the settlement administrator.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

He took charge, stripping away the right to strike and appointing Judge Samuel Alschuler as federal administrator to arbitrate all disputes between the packers and the union.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "administrator" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com