dispensation

American  

[dis-puhn-say-shuhn, -pen-] / ˌdɪs pənˈseɪ ʃən, -pɛn- /

noun

1. an act or instance of dispensing; distribution.

   Synonyms:

   bestowal, dissemination, dispersion

2. something that is distributed or given out.

3. a certain order, system, or arrangement; administration or management.

4. Theology.

   1. the divine ordering of the affairs of the world.

   2. an appointment, arrangement, or favor, as by God.

   3. a divinely appointed order or age.

      the old Mosaic, or Jewish, dispensation; the new gospel, or Christian, dispensation.

5. a dispensing with, doing away with, or doing without something.

6. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a relaxation of law in a particular case granted by a competent superior or the superior's delegate in laws that the superior has the power to make and enforce.

      a dispensation regarding the Lenten fast.

   2. an official document authorizing such a relaxation of law.

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dispensation British  

/ ˌdɪspɛnˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of distributing or dispensing

2. something distributed or dispensed

3. a system or plan of administering or dispensing

4. RC Church

   1. permission to dispense with an obligation of church law

   2. the document authorizing such permission

5. any exemption from a rule or obligation

6. Christianity

   1. the ordering of life and events by God

   2. a divine decree affecting an individual or group

   3. a religious system or code of prescriptions for life and conduct regarded as of divine origin

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Other Word Forms

• nondispensation
  noun
• dispensational
  adjective
• nondispensational
  adjective
• dispensatorily
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of dispensation

1325–75; Middle English dispensacioun < Medieval Latin dispēnsātiōn- (stem of dispēnsātiō ) a pardon, relaxation, Late Latin: order, system, divine grace, Latin: distribution, equivalent to dispēnsāt ( us ) (past participle of dispēnsāre to dispense; see -ate ¹) + -iōn- -ion

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Explanation

The act of giving or portioning something out is called dispensation. Your teacher will have a hard time with the dispensation of biology textbooks if there aren't enough copies for everyone in the class. The Latin root word of dispensation is dispensare, which means to disburse or administer. Doctors and pharmacists commonly talk about the dispensation of prescription medication. Another meaning of dispensation is an exemption from a rule. Your teacher might give you a dispensation to take the algebra final at a later date if you're sick on the scheduled day, for example.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dispensation

He has taken full advantage of that dispensation, leaving the Supreme Court in a pickle as the grace period is set to expire this week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

When it came time to give birth, the throuple had to get special dispensation to visit their daughter in the NICU.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026

More importantly, Joseph seemed convinced that the FDA had acted arbitrarily and capriciously in lifting the in-person dispensation requirement.

From Slate ● Apr. 13, 2026

So the game's world governing body is petitioning for special dispensation to review corners at this summer's World Cup.

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026

Here Isabel crosses herself, then adds, “And the goodwill of the count, and the dispensation of the bishop. We pray for her always.”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

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Related Words

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