administrator

[ad-min-uh-strey-ter]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• administratrix noun
• administratorship noun
• preadministrator noun
• subadministrator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of administrator¹

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

Example Sentences

His experience offers valuable lessons for hospital administrators globally confronting resource constraints while striving to maintain quality care and research productivity.

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“I think it’s important that we have parents and teachers and administrators making decisions about their individual schools, not politicians,” Ms. Spanberger said.

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If he did not appoint an administrator or executor of his estate, the probate court will appoint one, typically giving priority to a living spouse.

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Yet here, a single unaccountable administrator effectively outlawed an entire way of life for responsible therapists, guides and small businesses in Hawaii.

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Top appointees lack emergency-management experience, and David Richardson, the acting administrator, has largely ceded his authority to DHS, according to people familiar with the agency’s operations.

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Related Words

• authority 
• bureaucrat 
• chief 
• commander 
• controller 
• custodian 
• dean 
• director 
• executive 
• head 
• inspector 
• judge 
• leader 
• manager 
• minister 
• officer 
• official 
• organizer 
• superintendent 
• supervisor