dispatch

or des·patch

[ dih-spach ]

/ dɪˈspætʃ /

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See synonyms for: dispatch / dispatched / dispatching on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR dispatch

9 rapidity, haste, alacrity, celerity.

See synonyms for dispatch on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about 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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dispatch in a sentence

Now the Times’ chief Africa correspondent, Walsh contributed dispatches that pulsated with urgency and empathy.
Revisiting Pakistan’s tangle of contradictions and violence|Bilal Qureshi|December 11, 2020|Washington Post
The wording for the myriad dispatches have spanned the substance spectrum.
Not getting any travel postcards? A project in Mali delivers delight — and a lifeline.|Bailey Berg|December 3, 2020|Washington Post
Every year our Voices of the Voters posts produce some very memorable moments, and already this dispatch from La Jolla has joined the Hall of Fame.
Morning Report: Dems Take County Control|Voice of San Diego|November 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Few “inconveniences trouble the life of anyone on the governor’s train,” journalist Richard Rovere wrote in a campaign dispatch for the New Yorker.
The parallels between 1948’s ‘Dewey defeats Truman’ election and today|jakemeth|November 3, 2020|Fortune

Westenhofer’s husband is a dispatch manager at a trucking company who works long hours.
The economy could lose a generation of working mothers|Bryce Covert|October 30, 2020|Vox
One police officer was coolly dispatched as he lay wounded on the sidewalk.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In 1970, Hunter S. Thompson was dispatched to report on a motorcycle race in Las Vegas.
Sneer and Clothing in Miami: Inside The $3 Billion Woodstock of Contemporary Art|Jay Michaelson|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A car was indeed dispatched, with no mention that the suspect was possibly a juvenile and that the gun might be a toy.
The Cleveland Cops Who Fired 137 Shots and Cried Victim|Michael Daly|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He also claimed that the CIA had dispatched a clone of himself to Foxcatcher Farm to kill Schultz.
Foxcatcher’s Real-Life Psycho Killer|Marlow Stern|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Every “Good Kill,” or successfully dispatched militant, costs $68,000 in taxpayer dollars.
Ethan Hawke's 'Good Kill': A Searing Indictment of America's Drone Warfare Obsession|Marlow Stern|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But mindful of her fears, he dispatched one of the troopers to stand sentry outside her door whilst he and his lackey supped.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Having dispatched these notes, the next step is to prepare to receive your guests.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Cabral dispatched a small vessel to Lisbon to announce his discovery, and then, without making any settlement, proceeded to India.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
Scattergood, with great show of solicitude, dispatched a youngster to the deacon's house for his extra limb.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
After all, what would principally interest the curiosity of friendship may be dispatched in two words—I am well and happy.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon

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

dispatch

or des·patch

OTHER WORDS FOR dispatch

Idioms about dispatch

Origin of dispatch

OTHER WORDS FROM dispatch

Words related to dispatch

How to use dispatch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dispatch

despatch

Derived forms of dispatch

Word Origin for dispatch