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definitions

administer

[ad-min-uh-ster]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR administer ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to contribute assistance; bring aid or supplies (usually followed by to): to administer to the poor.
to perform the duties of an administrator: She administers quite effectively.

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RELATED WORDS

execute, oversee, supervise, conduct, direct, govern, administrate, authorize, impose, extend, give, provide, serve, distribute, deliver, disburse, perform, apply, regulate, control

Origin of administer

1325–75; < Latin administrāre to assist, carry out, manage the affairs of (see ad-, minister); replacing Middle English amynistre (with a-5) < Middle French aministrer
Related formsad·min·is·trant [ad-min-uh-struhnt] /ædˈmɪn ə strənt/, nounnon·ad·min·is·trant, adjectiveself-ad·min·is·tered, adjectiveself-ad·min·is·ter·ing, adjectiveun·ad·min·is·tered, adjectivewell-ad·min·is·tered, adjective

Synonyms for administer

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR administer ON THESAURUS.COM
1. conduct, control, execute; direct, superintend, supervise, oversee. 2. distribute, supply, furnish.

Synonym study

1. See rule.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for administer

Contemporary Examples of administer

Historical Examples of administer

  • They administer stinging rebukes that leave the adversary writhing.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • Her first duty was clearly to administer to his comfort, and that was precisely what she would do.

    Dust

    Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius

  • “What we want is to administer a tonic to the Conference in Milan,” he said airily.

    The Secret Agent

    Joseph Conrad

  • There was no one else to administer judgment, and Mrs. Wilson felt the necessity.

    Meadow Grass

    Alice Brown

  • The Barnacle family had for some time helped to administer the Circumlocution Office.

    Little Dorrit

    Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for administer

administer

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to direct or control (the affairs of a business, government, etc)
to put into execution; dispenseadminister justice
(when intr, foll by to) to give or apply (medicine, assistance, etc) as a remedy or relief
to apply formally; performto administer extreme unction
to supervise or impose the taking of (an oath, etc)
to manage or distribute (an estate, property, etc)

Word Origin for administer

C14: amynistre, via Old French from Latin administrare, from ad- to + ministrāre to minister
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
Word Origin and History for administer
v.

late 14c., administren, aministren "to manage as a steward," from Old French amenistrer "help, aid, be of service to" (12c., Modern French administrer, the -d- restored 16c.), and directly from Latin administrare "manage, control, guide, superintend; rule direct," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + ministrare "serve" (see minister (v.)). Used of medicine, etc., "to give," from 1540s. Related: Administered; administering.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper