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

Marsee learned how to administer medication abortion pills, procedural abortions, and highly effective birth control methods, including hormonal implants and intrauterine devices.

From Salon

As Madison put it, “the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others. The provision for defense must in this, as in all other cases, be made commensurate to the danger of attack.”

From Salon

The ASKP3 regulates some 600 clinics that administer in-office intravenous ketamine, but thousands of other providers are estimated to operate in other clinics and online.

From Salon

They added that they hope that these findings will emphasize the need to administer, score, and follow recommended actions of screeners according to their instructions, rather than using screeners in non-standardized ways, or relying on clinical judgment to determine whether or not to refer toddlers for autism evaluations and early intervention, effectively over-riding when a screener indicates that referrals are needed.

From Science Daily

Sondheim and Weidman administer this lesson with musical theater poetry.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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