administer

verb

ad·​min·​is·​ter əd-ˈmi-nə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio)
administered; administering əd-ˈmi-nə-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce administer (audio)
Synonyms of administernext

transitive verb

1
: to manage or supervise the execution, use, or conduct of
administer a trust fund
2
a
: to provide or apply : dispense
administer justice
administer punishment
b
: to give officially or as part of a ritual
administer a test
administer the last rites
c
: to give remedially
administer a dose of medicine

intransitive verb

1
: to perform the office of administrator
2
: to furnish a benefit : minister
administer to an ailing friend
3
: to manage affairs
administrable
əd-ˈmi-nə-strə-bəl How to pronounce administer (audio)
adjective
administrant
əd-ˈmi-nə-strənt How to pronounce administer (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of administer in a Sentence

As a cost-saving measure, voters have elected to have the two towns administered jointly. The UN personnel are there to help administer the territory. She's been hired to administer the fund. The assistant will administer the test. a priest to administer the sacraments
Recent Examples on the Web The Missouri Department of Public Safety administers the program. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024 Consuelo also faces an additional charge related to allegedly attempting to administer Xanax to an undercover officer ahead of a procedure, Fox 26 reported. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024 The drug was administered as part of resuscitation efforts. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024 The ban on using private grants to administer elections, and that only election officials designated by law can perform tasks, take effect almost immediately. —Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024 This may mean that some nonprofits could stop administering the program. —Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024 Neither man has sat for a comprehensive assessment of his mental fitness, a battery of tests often administered to people their age. —Michael D. Shear Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024 Over 340 intravenous doses were administered, accounting for over 15 person-years of treatment. —Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024 The best way to give your cat CBD is by using a dropper or syringe to administer the oil directly into their mouth. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'administer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English administren, aministren, borrowed from Anglo-French administrer, aministrer, borrowed from Latin administrāre "to assist, operate, perform, manage the affairs of," from ad- ad- + ministrāre "to wait on, serve, furnish" — more at minister entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of administer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing administer

Dictionary Entries Near administer

adminicular

administer

administered price

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/administer. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

administer

verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter əd-ˈmin-ə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio)
administered; administering -st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce administer (audio)
1
: to direct the affairs of : manage
administer a government
2
: to give out as deserved
administer justice
3
: to give formally or ceremonially
administer the sacraments
4
: to give as treatment
administer a drug

Medical Definition

administer

transitive verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter əd-ˈmin-ə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio)
administered; administering -st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce administer (audio)
: to give (as medicine) remedially
the antibiotic may be administered orally or by injection

Legal Definition

administer

verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter əd-ˈmi-nə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio)
administered; administering

transitive verb

1
: to manage the affairs of (as a government or agency)
2
a
: to direct or supervise the execution, use, or conduct of
administer a trust fund
b
: to settle (an estate) under a court appointment as administrator or executor
3
a
: to give ritually
administer an oath
b
: to give (as a narcotic) for the purpose of ingesting

intransitive verb

1
: to perform the office of an administrator or executor
2
: to manage or conduct affairs
administrable
əd-ˈmi-nə-strə-bəl How to pronounce administer (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on administer

Nglish: Translation of administer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of administer for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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