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administer

American  
[ad-min-uh-ster] / ædˈmɪn ə stər /

verb (used with object)

  1. to manage (affairs, a government, etc.); have executive charge of.

    to administer the law.

    Synonyms:
    oversee, supervise, superintend, run, manage, direct, control, conduct
  2. to bring into use or operation: to administer last rites.

    to administer justice;

    to administer last rites.

    Synonyms:
    supply, provide, furnish
  3. to make application of; give.

    to administer medicine.

  4. to supervise the formal taking of (an oath or the like).

  5. 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)

  1. to contribute assistance; bring aid or supplies (usually followed byto ).

    to administer to those in need of aid.

  2. to perform the duties of an administrator.

    She administers quite effectively.

administer British  
/ ədˈmɪnɪstə /

verb

  1. (also intr) to direct or control (the affairs of a business, government, etc)

  2. to put into execution; dispense

    administer justice

  3. to give or apply (medicine, assistance, etc) as a remedy or relief

  4. to apply formally; perform

    to administer extreme unction

  5. to supervise or impose the taking of (an oath, etc)

  6. to manage or distribute (an estate, property, etc)

"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

Related Words

See rule.

Other Word Forms

  • administrant noun
  • nonadministrant adjective
  • self-administered adjective
  • self-administering adjective
  • unadministered adjective
  • well-administered adjective

Etymology

Origin of administer

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin administrāre “to assist, carry out, manage the affairs of” ( ad-, minister ); replacing Middle English amynistre (with a- 5 ), from Middle French aministrer

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.

The new drug zorevunersen is administered into the spine via an infusion and works by managing the underlying cause in most cases - a faulty gene affecting the brain.

From BBC

He said the administration and category judging process were administered entirely by the Booksellers Association.

From BBC

The family of Adichie had accused the hospital of negligence, alleging that medics denied oxygen to her son and administered excessive sedation, which they say led to cardiac arrest.

From BBC

The rabies vaccine was extremely effective and had eliminated the virus from the UK, she said, and administering it after exposure to the virus could help in some circumstances.

From BBC

"Crews arrived to find a man with serious injuries and administered advanced life support on scene," a spokesperson said.

From BBC