dole
1a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., especially as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance.
a dealing out or distributing, especially in charity.
a form of payment to the unemployed instituted by the British government in 1918.
any similar payment by a government to an unemployed person.
Archaic. one's fate or destiny.
to distribute in charity.
to give out sparingly or in small quantities (usually followed by out): The last of the water was doled out to the thirsty crew.
Idioms about dole
on the dole, receiving payment from the government, as relief: They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole.
Origin of dole
1Other words for dole
Other definitions for dole (2 of 3)
grief or sorrow; lamentation.
Origin of dole
2Other definitions for Dole (3 of 3)
Robert J(oseph), 1923–2021, U.S. politician: senator 1969–96.
Sanford Ballard, 1844–1926, U.S. politician and jurist in Hawaii: president of Republic of Hawaii 1894–98; first territorial governor 1900–03.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dole in a sentence
Settlements for those affected by the explosion were being slowly, but surely doled out.
The also doled out millions in no-bid contracts to her friends and husband.
The Ugly Truth About Cory Booker, New Jersey’s Golden Boy | Olivia Nuzzi | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHow does it happen that a society or a culture suddenly decides that violence on the level doled out by ISIS is OK?
Instead, all four were doled out felony gang assault charges and sentences between three-and-a-half to eight years behind bars.
‘Out in the Night’ and the Redemption of the ‘Killer Lesbian Gang' | Nina Strochlic | June 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe deal was loudly denounced by a chorus of baseball writers who acted as if it was their money being doled out.
A lugubrious quail doled forth a grating, dismal note at long but measured intervals, offending the ear and depressing the heart.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend | Charles ReadeGuy doled out very carefully the £35 he had accumulated by the sale of his books.
Plashers Mead | Compton MackenzieThis man had charge of the storehouse, and doled out each morning the provisions for the day.
Four American Indians | Edson L. WhitneyNot long after only a single pound was doled out once a week, and by the end of the month the supply entirely gave out.
History of the Rise of the Huguenots | Henry BairdThree days' rations for the men were distributed, and half rations of grain for one day were doled out for the horses.
The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete | General Philip Henry Sheridan
British Dictionary definitions for dole (1 of 2)
/ (dəʊl) /
a small portion or share, as of money or food, given to a poor person
the act of giving or distributing such portions
the dole British informal money received from the state while out of work
on the dole British informal receiving such money
archaic fate
(tr usually foll by out) to distribute, esp in small portions
Origin of dole
1British Dictionary definitions for dole (2 of 2)
/ (dəʊl) /
archaic grief or mourning
Origin of dole
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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