dispatch

or des·patch

[ dih-spach ]

/ dɪˈspætʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dispatch

verb (used with object)

to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc.

to dismiss (a person), as after an audience.

to put to death; kill: The spy was promptly dispatched.

to transact or dispose of (a matter) promptly or speedily.

verb (used without object)

Archaic. to hasten; be quick.

noun

the sending off of a messenger, letter, etc., to a destination.

the act of putting to death; killing; execution.

prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.

expeditious performance; promptness or speed: Proceed with all possible dispatch.

Commerce.

a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.
a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.

a written message sent with speed.

an official communication sent by special messenger.

Journalism. a news story transmitted to a newspaper, wire service, or the like, by one of its reporters, or by a wire service to a newspaper or other news agency.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.

Question 1 of 9

You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?

To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.

To stew in a sauce for a long time.

To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for dispatch

mentioned in dispatches, British. honored by being named in official military reports for special bravery or acts of service.

Origin of dispatch

1510–20; <Italian dispacciare to hasten, speed, or <Spanish despachar both ultimately <Old French despeechier to unshackle, equivalent to des-dis-¹ + -peechier<Late Latin -pedicāre to shackle; see impeach

SYNONYMS FOR dispatch

9 rapidity, haste, alacrity, celerity.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dispatch

OTHER WORDS FROM dispatch

out·dis·patch, verb (used with object)pre·dis·patch, noun, verb (used with object)re·dis·patch, verb (used with object)self-dis·patch, noun

un·dis·patched, adjectiveun·dis·patch·ing, adjective

Words nearby dispatch

disparity, disparlure, dispart, dispassion, dispassionate, dispatch, dispatch boat, dispatch box, dispatch case, dispatcher, dispatch rider

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for dispatch

In a series of dispatches, writers look at new ways to tackle issues from closing the digital divide and mapping insect populations to measuring societal health and encouraging long-term thinking.
To think your way out of a crisis, look beyond it|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Each dispatch might be less in-depth, but still filled with the news-you-can-use, resources, and inspiration you need to better stay on top of a rapidly changing world.
Breonna Taylor’s case is as painful as it unsurprising|Ellen McGirt|September 25, 2020|Fortune
DeJoy has claimed that the lone operational change he instituted was enforcing a stricter dispatch schedule of mail transportation trucks and letter carriers to their daily rounds.
Federal judge issues temporary injunction against USPS operational changes amid concerns about mail slowdowns|Elise Viebeck, Jacob Bogage|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
For example, the reforms encourage officers to increase their casual presence in certain communities and include social workers in their dispatch runs.
The policing reforms in the Breonna Taylor settlement, explained|Fabiola Cineas|September 17, 2020|Vox

Det. Johnson left in an elevator and I found myself alone in the building, save two women in the dispatch center.
The Disappearing Cops of East St. Louis|Justin Glawe|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We greatly enjoyed reading your ‘Second Impressions’ dispatch,” replied a senior diplomat.
British Officials Portrayed Reagan as a “Bozo”|Nico Hines, Ben Jacobs|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
France has offered to dispatch four jet fighters to Ukraine and help it with cyber security.
Obama’s Nuclear Summit Aimed to Stop Terrorists. Now Putin’s the Issue.|Christopher Dickey, Jamie Dettmer, Nadette De Visser|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the event that the redoubled UN forces are not enough, the African Union should dispatch troops to supplement the effort.
Preventing South Sudan’s Civil War|John Prendergast, Akshaya Kumar|December 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Rather than dispatch a team of slick lawyers with leather briefcases, they seemingly adopted a cartoon character, Uncle Rhabdo.
Cool It on the CrossFit: What’s Rhabdomyolysis?|Kent Sepkowitz|October 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This dispatch was sent in triplicate, by different messengers.
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete|Ulysses S. Grant
I was just sending a courier to his command with a dispatch.
Robert Toombs|Pleasant A. Stovall
Myself and Will Rackaway, who came to help me and old Cassy, remained in charge of the house to dispatch the furniture.
The Haunted Homestead|E. D. E. N. Southworth
This reply he showed to Seward, then handed it 330to Stanton and ordered him to sign and dispatch it at once.
Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II|John T. Morse
Experience has taught me that there is nothing like dispatch in these matters.
The Kidnapped President|Guy Boothby

British Dictionary definitions for dispatch

dispatch

despatch

/ (dɪˈspætʃ) /

verb (tr)

to send off promptly, as to a destination or to perform a task

to discharge or complete (a task, duty, etc) promptly

informal to eat up quickly

to murder or execute

noun

the act of sending off a letter, messenger, etc

prompt action or speed (often in the phrase with dispatch)

an official communication or report, sent in haste

journalism a report sent to a newspaper, etc, by a correspondent

murder or execution

Derived forms of dispatch

dispatcher, noun

Word Origin for dispatch

C16: from Italian dispacciare, from Provençal despachar, from Old French despeechier to set free, from des- dis- 1 + -peechier, ultimately from Latin pedica a fetter

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

dispatch

or des·patch

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Idioms for dispatch

Origin of dispatch

SYNONYMS FOR dispatch

OTHER WORDS FROM dispatch

Words nearby dispatch

Example sentences from the Web for dispatch

British Dictionary definitions for dispatch

despatch

verb (tr)

noun

Derived forms of dispatch

Word Origin for dispatch

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

dispatch

or des·patch

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Idioms for dispatch

Origin of dispatch

SYNONYMS FOR dispatch

OTHER WORDS FROM dispatch

Words nearby dispatch

Words related to dispatch

Example sentences from the Web for dispatch

British Dictionary definitions for dispatch

despatch

verb (tr)

noun

Derived forms of dispatch

Word Origin for dispatch