administrator

[ ad-min-uh-strey-ter ]

noun

1. a person who manages or has a talent for managing.
2. Law. a person appointed by a court to take charge of the estate of a decedent, but not appointed in the decedent's will.
3. Also Informal, ad·min []. Computers.
   1. a person who manages and supports a computer system or network, as in a business or other organization: Compare system operator ( def ).

      the company’s system administrator;

      a database administrator.

   2. a person who determines the site policies, appoints moderators, and manages the technical operation of an internet message board or other interactive website:

      a forum administrator.

   3. a user account on a home computer accessible only by the user who manages the computer system. Compare root ¹( def 11b ).
   4. a user who has access to this user account.

administrator

/ ədˈmɪnɪˌstreɪtə /

noun

1. a person who administers the affairs of an organization, official body, etc
2. property law a person authorized to manage an estate, esp when the owner has died intestate or without having appointed executors
3. a person who manages a computer system

Derived Forms

• adˌminisˈtratrix, noun:feminine

Other Words From

• ad·min·is·tra·tor·ship noun
• pre·ad·min·is·tra·tor noun
• sub·ad·min·is·tra·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of administrator¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French administratour, from Latin administrātor, equivalent to administrā(re) “to assist, serve” ( administer ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

It’s billed as an answer to the purported complexity of Medicaid, but makes the system more complicated for enrollees and administrators.

From Los Angeles Times

Historians say the colonial administrators put down any rebellions and often burnt Naga villages to subdue them, in the process erasing much of their important cultural markers such as paintings, engravings and artefacts.

From BBC

He called global warming a hoax, pulled out of the Paris climate agreement, shrank national monuments and appointed Environmental Protection Agency administrators who helped polluters at the expense of public health.

From Los Angeles Times

The rankings are often criticized by university leaders as unfair and deeply flawed, yet they remain a preoccupation at many campuses as administrators struggle to navigate an increasingly competitive environment for higher education.

From New York Times

Athletic administrator Victoria Sanders said she was uncertain why the players were declared ineligible.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authority
• bureaucrat
• chief
• commander
• controller
• custodian
• dean
• director
• executive
• head
• inspector
• judge
• leader
• manager
• minister
• officer
• official
• organizer
• superintendent
• supervisor