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 Liberian AIDS commission is now going door-to-door to administer antiretroviral medications to known patients.

From The Daily Beast

“We hired Eisenhower to run the Cold War, not administer shots,” says Pitney.

From The Daily Beast

Dr. Barry Rosenfeld, a psychologist who directs clinical training at Fordham University, did not just administer tests.

From The Daily Beast

At my practice we medical providers administer vaccines ourselves, and I pride myself at doing it very well.

From The Daily Beast

When Jerry Lee was taken home and his car was towed from the ditch, the deputies forgot to administer a test for intoxication.

From The Daily Beast

I have to administer the bottle drop by drop till it is exhausted, and if I fail the king dies.

From Project Gutenberg

The Act of Incorporation empowered the detectors to take and to administer to their servants an oath of fidelity.

From Project Gutenberg

The priest may be obliged to administer baptism, to hear confession, to give the Viaticum and Extreme Unction.

From Project Gutenberg

It was thus they named a cross-road where the martyr king used to sit under an oak-tree and administer justice.

From Project Gutenberg

Previous to this Mr. Smith had brought in a bill to administer these trusts by a system of popular election.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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