dispatch

American  

[dih-spach] / dɪˈspætʃ /

Or despatch

verb (used with object)

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

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

3. to put to death; kill.

   The spy was promptly dispatched.

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

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verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to hasten; be quick.

noun

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

2. the act of putting to death; killing; execution.

3. prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.

4. expeditious performance; promptness or speed.

   Proceed with all possible dispatch.

   Synonyms:

   celerity, alacrity, haste, rapidity

5. Commerce.

   1. a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.

   2. a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.

6. a written message sent with speed.

7. an official communication sent by special messenger.

8. 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.

idioms

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

dispatch British  

/ dɪˈspætʃ /

verb

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

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

3. informal to eat up quickly

4. to murder or execute

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noun

1. the act of sending off a letter, messenger, etc

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

3. an official communication or report, sent in haste

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

5. murder or execution

Other Word Forms

• dispatcher noun
• outdispatch verb (used with object)
• predispatch noun
• redispatch verb (used with object)
• self-dispatch noun
• undispatched adjective
• undispatching adjective

Etymology

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; impeach

Example Sentences

Feed an Iranian news dispatch or a literary classic into some text detectors, and they return the same verdict: AI-generated.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Hidden hands sent the acute and observant Defoe to “gather and dispatch intelligence,” Mr. Mierowsky writes, “extending in the process Westminster’s reach across the British Isles.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that she had not received a request to dispatch escort ships.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Gulf states, unable to dispatch tankers because of safety concerns and lack of insurance, have filled nearly everything and been forced to reduce production despite attractive prices on the screen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

The papers sent special correspondents to shadow the pilots as they served in the skies over Europe, each dispatch from the European front producing shivers of delight.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• bulletin
• instruction
• missive