dispensation

American  

[dis-puhn-sey-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

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

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 even been given special dispensation to wear his hat indoors when he visits Mar-a-Lago, the private club owned by his friend Donald Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

However, there was no expectation that Fifa would suddenly produce a special dispensation which would allow the former Arsenal striker to play.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

The Knights of Malta welcomed him, petitioned the pope for special dispensation, and made him a Knight of the Order of St. John.

From Slate ● Jun. 6, 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

With special dispensation from the Vatican, she took her vows and entered a convent in Madras as a trainee novice.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

• exemption
• immunity
• reprieve