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• dole
  dole

  noun

  a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., especially as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance.
• Dole
  Dole

  noun

  Robert J(oseph), 1923–2021, U.S. politician: senator 1969–96.

dole

¹ American  

[dohl] / doʊl /

noun

1. a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., especially as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance.

   Synonyms:

   pittance, share, alms

2. a dealing out or distributing, especially in charity.

3. a form of payment to the unemployed instituted by the British government in 1918.

4. any similar payment by a government to an unemployed person.

5. Archaic. one's fate or destiny.

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verb (used with object)

doled, doling

1. to distribute in charity.

2. to give out sparingly or in small quantities (usually followed byout ).

   The last of the water was doled out to the thirsty crew.

   Synonyms:

   ration, mete

idioms

1. on the dole, receiving payment from the government, as relief.

   They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole.

dole ² American  

[dohl] / doʊl /

noun

Archaic.

1. grief or sorrow; lamentation.

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Dole ³ American  

[dohl] / doʊl /

noun

1. Robert J(oseph), 1923–2021, U.S. politician: senator 1969–96.

2. Sanford Ballard, 1844–1926, U.S. politician and jurist in Hawaii: president of Republic of Hawaii 1894–98; first territorial governor 1900–03.

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dole ¹ British  

/ dəʊl /

noun

1. a small portion or share, as of money or food, given to a poor person

2. the act of giving or distributing such portions

3. informal money received from the state while out of work

4. informal receiving such money

5. archaic fate

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verb

1. to distribute, esp in small portions

dole ² British  

/ dəʊl /

noun

1. archaic grief or mourning

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Etymology

Origin of dole¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English dol, dal “part, subdivision,” Old English dāl, gedāl “sharing”; see origin at deal ¹

Origin of dole²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dol, dol(e), doll from Old French duel, doel, from Late Latin dolus, for Latin dolor dolor

Explanation

Dole is a charitable donation or support, like the dole governments provide to victims of natural disasters. Dole is also a verb meaning "distribute," so you might dole out your leftover Halloween candy to your little sisters. In Britain, unemployment benefits and other government aid is commonly known as "the dole." In the U.S., the noun dole is rare, but when it's used it means "any charitable gift." When local businesses hold a toy drive during the winter holidays, those donations are dole given to needy families. As a verb, dole is most commonly used in the phrasal verb "dole out," although you'll sometimes see it used on its own.

Example Sentences

"This remains a deeply distressing matter," police commissioner Martin Dole told reporters.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

"I just call for calm across the community," Dole said.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole told the ABC Lewis was unconscious when officers found him.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

The court in Dole even questioned “whether ‘general welfare’ is a judicially enforceable restriction at all.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Gerber’s, Heinz, Dole, ConAgra, and ADM all bought organic brands or started their own.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan