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

After administering infusions, Luminate nurses remain with patients to monitor them for the period of time directed by treatment guidelines, Hannon said.

From The Wall Street Journal

In November it was announced that this summer Freeland would become CEO of the Rhodes Trust, which administers Rhodes scholarships to Oxford University.

From BBC

The federal Department of Health and Human Services administers the program, distributing billions to states annually.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though he and other U.S. officials he tasked with working on Venezuela’s transition didn’t say it, administering a country of 28 million twice the size of California will be enormously complicated.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most states avoid a straight tax on net worth because a wealth tax can be hard to administer.

From Barron's

Related Words

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