Definition of dispatch
transitive verb
1 : to send off or away with promptness or speed dispatch a letter dispatch an ambulance to the scene; especially : to send off on official business dispatch a messenger
2a : to kill with quick efficiency dispatched the deer with one shotb obsolete : deprive
3 : to dispose of (something, such as a task) rapidly or efficiently anxious to dispatch the matter … household business could not be dispatched hastily by Mrs. Tulliver. — George Eliot
4 : defeat 3 easily dispatching each team they played
intransitive verb
archaic : to make haste : hurry
dispatcher
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of dispatch in a Sentence
Rescue workers were immediately dispatched to the area.
The hotel dispatched a limo to pick us up from the airport.
He dispatched the guard with one bullet.
Origin and Etymology of dispatch
Spanish despachar or Italian dispacciare, from Occitan despachar to get rid of, from Middle French despechier to set free, from Old French, from des- dis- + -pechier (as in enpechier to ensnare) — more at impeach
First Known Use: 1517
Synonym Discussion of dispatch
Definition of dispatch
1a : a message sent with speed; especially : an important official message sent by a diplomatic, military, or naval officer sent a dispatch to headquartersb : a news item filed (see 4file 2b) by a correspondent dispatches from the war zone
2 : the act of dispatching: such asa obsolete : dismissalb : the act of killingc (1) : prompt settlement (as of an item of business) Tom Pinch and his sister having to part, for the dispatch of the morning's business …, had no opportunity of discussing the subject at that time. — Charles Dickens (2) : quick riddanced : a sending off : shipment the immediate dispatch of supplies to the front
3 : promptness and efficiency in performance or transmission done with dispatch
Examples of dispatch in a Sentence
The general sent a dispatch to headquarters.
He requested the immediate dispatch of supplies.
The reporter sent many dispatches from the war zone.
Origin and Etymology of dispatch
see 1dispatch
First Known Use: 1537
Synonym Discussion of dispatch
DISPATCH Defined for English Language Learners
dispatch
playDefinition of dispatch for English Language Learners
-
: to send (someone or something) quickly to a particular place for a particular purpose
-
: to defeat (a person or team) in a game, contest, etc.
-
: to kill (a person or animal) quickly
dispatch
playDefinition of dispatch for English Language Learners
-
: an important official message
-
: the act of sending someone or something to a particular place for a particular purpose
-
: a news story that a reporter sends to a newspaper usually from a foreign country
DISPATCH Defined for Kids
Definition of dispatch for Students
dispatched
;dispatching
1 : to send away quickly to a certain place or for a certain reason The general dispatched a messenger.
2 : to get done quickly She dispatched one job and moved to the next.
3 : 1kill 1 dispatch a sick animal
dispatcher
nounLearn More about dispatch
-
See words that rhyme with dispatch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dispatch Spanish Central: Translation of dispatch Nglish: Translation of dispatch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dispatch for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up dispatch? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!