administer

[ad-min-uh-ster]

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

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of administer¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of administer¹

C14: amynistre, via Old French from Latin administrare, from ad- to + ministrāre to _minister

Synonym Study

See rule.

Example Sentences

In addition, Tsai said, to reverse an opioid overdose, the best approach is to administer naloxone.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They are also required to ensure the medicine is supplied to an experienced injector to administer.

Read more on BBC

It found that a 25mg dose administered alongside psychological support from trained therapists, resulted in improvement of a patient-reported measure of depression.

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Biden once supported the death penalty, but he came to see it as needlessly cruel, as well as impossible to administer fairly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A Riverside County woman known as “the butt lady” has been convicted of murder after a second client — a TV actor living in Malibu — died from silicone injections she administered, authorities said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apply 
• authorize 
• deliver 
• disburse 
• distribute 
• execute 
• extend 
• give 
• impose 
• perform 
• provide 
• regulate 
• serve