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)

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 adjective
administrant noun

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 In addition to pre-treatment screening and cardiac monitoring, providers have found that administering magnesium before and during ibogaine treatments effectively addressed the risks. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Austin Fast: Most federal grants set aside a small part to cover costs so agencies can administer the programs. USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 At the paramedics’ trial, prosecutors argued the two acted recklessly in administering a large dose of ketamine to McClain despite not speaking with him or checking his vital signs. Emma Tucker, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Yadav said that vitamins could be administered transdermally, but only if they were formulated as nanoparticles and encased in a lipophilic (fat-soluble) substance. Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024 Some Democratic lawmakers had expressed concern that companies involved in administering the death penalty would still be able to evade public scrutiny. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 Ivan Cantu, 50, was pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. on Wednesday night after being administered a lethal injection. Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 29 Feb. 2024 When needed, they can be administered up to four times per day and are even safe for kids ages 6 years and older. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024 That said, experts are still torn on the benefits of administering the same vaccine more than once a year—especially to a public that’s largely unwilling to get it. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 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

Dictionary Entries Near administer

Cite this Entry

“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/administer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on administer

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