administer

[ ad-min-uh-ster ]

verb (used with object)

1. to manage (affairs, a government, etc.); have executive charge of:

   to administer the law.

   Synonyms: oversee, supervise, superintend, run, manage, direct, control, conduct

2. to bring into use or operation: to administer last rites.

   to administer justice;

   to administer last rites.

   Synonyms: supply, provide, furnish

3. to make application of; give:

   to administer medicine.

4. to supervise the formal taking of (an oath or the like).
5. Law. to manage or dispose of, as a decedent's estate by an executor or administrator or a trust estate by a trustee.

verb (used without object)

1. to contribute assistance; bring aid or supplies (usually followed by to ):

   to administer to those in need of aid.

2. to perform the duties of an administrator:

   She administers quite effectively.

administer

/ ədˈmɪnɪstə /

verb

1. also intr to direct or control (the affairs of a business, government, etc)
2. to put into execution; dispense

   administer justice

3. whenintr, foll by to to give or apply (medicine, assistance, etc) as a remedy or relief
4. to apply formally; perform

   to administer extreme unction

5. to supervise or impose the taking of (an oath, etc)
6. to manage or distribute (an estate, property, etc)

Other Words From

• ad·min·is·trant [ad-, min, -, uh, -str, uh, nt], noun
• nonad·minis·trant adjective
• self-ad·minis·tered adjective
• self-ad·minis·ter·ing adjective
• unad·minis·tered adjective
• well-ad·minis·tered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of administer¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin administrāre “to assist, carry out, manage the affairs of” ( ad-, minister ); replacing Middle English amynistre (with a- ⁵ ), from Middle French aministrer

Word History and Origins

Origin of administer¹

C14: amynistre, via Old French from Latin administrare, from ad- to + ministrāre to minister

Synonym Study

See rule.

Example Sentences

The unprescribed medication was administered for more than a year and led to the girl needing a long stay at a children’s hospital, unable to eat or drink and needing 10 blood transfusions.

From BBC

Notably, some of these compounds synergized -- that is, achieved "greater than the sum of its parts" latency reversal -- when administered with preexisting LRA compounds.

From Science Daily

This research was funded by the Hazardous Waste Research Fund, which is administered by the ISTC, a part of the Prairie Research Institute at the U. of I.

From Science Daily

One is that current FDA-approved drugs are only effective when administered early during an influenza infection, but they are less effective when administered in later stages of the disease.

From Science Daily

Medications used to treat heart failure include diuretics, which reduce tissue swelling and can be administered orally or intravenously.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• apply
• authorize
• deliver
• disburse
• distribute
• execute
• extend
• give
• impose
• perform
• provide
• regulate
• serve