administer

American  

[ad-min-uh-ster] / ædˈmɪn ə stər /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

   to administer to those in need of aid.

2. to perform the duties of an administrator.

   She administers quite effectively.

administer British  

/ 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. 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)

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Related Words

See rule.

Other Word Forms

• administrant noun
• nonadministrant adjective
• self-administered adjective
• self-administering adjective
• unadministered adjective
• well-administered adjective

Etymology

Origin of administer

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

Example Sentences

A QCD has to be administered by the account custodian and sent directly to the charity in order to count, although there’s proposed legislation that would change this in the future.

From MarketWatch

Mass vaccination was carried out in phases, with one million doses eventually administered across the country.

From Barron's

There was also a three-hour delay between the doctor requesting the drug and it being administered, the report found.

From BBC

After months of examinations, the attorneys representing Hsieh’s father, who has been administering his $500 million estate after his death, detailed their investigation into the documents, which include a will and related letter.

From The Wall Street Journal

So intense was the criticism around this year's test that the top official in charge of administering it resigned to take responsibility for the "chaos" it caused.

From BBC

Related Words

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