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

And when the fire broke out the morning of Jan. 7, the initial dispatch called for only seven engine companies, when the weather conditions required 27.

From Los Angeles Times

Brussels would also discuss with EU member states establishing "rapid counter drone emergency teams" that could be dispatched quickly to help countries targeted.

From Barron's

Workers at the Evonik plant were dispatched to close the gas supply valve into the factory, where the German chemical maker produces silica for toothpaste and food products.

From The Wall Street Journal

He spoke after dispatching a top adviser to Moscow last week, in the first such meeting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

From Barron's

It dates to 1964, when Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy dispatched the Federal Bureau of Investigation to Mississippi to find three young civil-rights activists who had gone missing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bulletin
• instruction
• missive