administration

noun

ad·​min·​is·​tra·​tion əd-ˌmi-nə-ˈstrā-shən 

(ˌ)ad-

1

: performance of executive duties : management

worked in the administration of a hospital

2

: the act or process of administering something

the administration of justice

the administration of medication

3

: the execution of public affairs as distinguished from policymaking

4

a

: a body of persons who administer

b

often capitalized : a group constituting the political executive in a presidential government

a member of the Bush administration

c

: a governmental agency or board

the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

5

: the term of office of an administrative officer or body

during the first Clinton administration

Synonyms

• authority
• governance
• government
• jurisdiction
• regime
• régime
• regimen
• rule

Examples of administration in a Sentence

She has a degree in business administration.

The editorial criticizes the college's administration for not taking a stand on the issue.

Her lecture compared the policies of this administration to the previous one.

Administration officials refused to comment.

At first, the administration denied the allegations.

The drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

oral administration of the drug

Recent Examples on the Web

With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House and Senate, the courts have arguably become the main avenue for challenging the Trump administration's policy. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025

The case raises questions about the Trump administration's adherence to limits set by the Supreme Court. —Andrew Chung, Luc Cohen, Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

The Trump administration has exercised various unorthodox methods for its mass deportation and border security plans since returning to office in January. —Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025

This came despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found the Trump administration could continue deporting under the act — only if detainees are given due process to challenge their removal. —Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English administracioun, borrowed from Anglo-French amynistraciun, administracioun, borrowed from Latin administrātiōn-, administrātiō, from administrāre "to administer" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing administration

• anti-administration
• business administration
• co-administration
• letters of administration
• self-administration

Rhymes for administration

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• adulteration
• affiliation

Kids Definition

administration

noun

ad·​min·​is·​tra·​tion əd-ˌmin-ə-ˈstrā-shən 

ad-

1

: the act or process of administering

2

: performance of supervising duties : management

3

: the work involved in managing public affairs as distinguished from policy-making

4

a

: a group of persons who administer

b

capitalized : the executive branch of a government

Medical Definition

administration

noun

ad·​min·​is·​tra·​tion əd-ˌmin-ə-ˈstrā-shən, (ˌ)ad- 

1

: the act of giving medication

administration of a dose of antitoxin

—Morris Fishbein

2

: the direction of the execution of something

administration of a quarantine law

—V. G. Heiser

Legal Definition

administration

noun

ad·​min·​is·​tra·​tion əd-ˌmi-nə-ˈstrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of administering

the administration of justice

2

a

: the management and disposal under court authority of the estate of a deceased person by an executor or an administrator

b

: the management of an estate (as of a minor) by a trustee or guardian appointed to take charge of it

c

: the management of assets held in a trust

3

: the execution of public affairs as distinguished from policy-making

4

a

: a body of persons (as of an organization) who administer

b

often capitalized : a group that makes up the executive branch of a presidential government

c

: a governmental agency or board

5

: the term of office of an administrative officer or body