dispense

verb dis·pense \ di-ˈspen(t)s \

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

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Examples: dispense in a Sentence

Definition of dispense

dispensed; dispensing

transitive verb

1 a : to divide and share out according to a plan : to deal out in portions

dispense food among the needy

b : administer

dispense justice

2 : to exempt from a law or release from a vow, oath, or impediment : to give dispensation (see dispensation 2a) to : exempt

may dispense students from this requirement

3 : to prepare and distribute (medication)

dispensing pills to their patients

intransitive verb

archaic : to grant dispensation

— dispense with

1 : to set aside : discard

dispensing with the usual introduction

2 : to do without

could dispense with such a large staff

See dispense defined for English-language learners

See dispense defined for kids

Examples of dispense in a Sentence

The ATM only dispenses bills.
a newspaper columnist who dispenses advice to millions of readers each week
Pharmacists are certified to dispense medication.

Recent Examples of dispense from the Web

The Justice Department charged 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, for their roles dispensing opioids and narcotics, the result of investigations spanning 30 state Medicaid programs and numerous enforcement agencies.

— lev facher, STAT, "Justice Department announces crackdown on fraudulent opioid prescriptions," 28 June 2018
But the pharmacist said dispensing the medication would go against his beliefs.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Walgreens pharmacist denied woman miscarriage medication. Could it happen in Indiana?," 25 June 2018
Workers for a Smarte Carte subcontractor collect the carts and return them to dispensing units.

— kelly yamanouchi, ajc, "Hartsfield-Jackson luggage cart contract pressured by industry shifts," 2 June 2018
Although Thai courts dispense death sentences for various crimes, executions are rarely carried out, the last one being about 10 years ago.

— Fox News, "Thai court sentences 6 to death for massacre of family," 29 Mar. 2018
To buy: $103 on dermstore.com (marked down from $128) Makeup and SPF protection join forces with this sunscreen brush, which dispenses mineral-powder coverage along with SPF 50.

— kathleen mulpeter, Health.com, "All Your Favorite Sunscreen Brands Are on Sale Right Now," 28 Mar. 2018
And on Friday, Hamill and Oz will come together in the real world for a talk at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, dishing on all things Star Wars (and maybe also dispensing a little wisdom; who knows!).

— yohana desta, HWD, "Watch Mark Hamill and Frank Oz Wax Nostalgic about Star Wars and More," 23 Mar. 2018
Russell, in character as Elizabeth Jennings, a KGB agent living undercover in the United States in the waning days of the Cold War, was dispensing some tough love to her daughter, Paige (Taylor) a college student sympathetic to the Soviet cause.

— meredith blake, latimes.com, "'The Americans' prepares to take a final bow on FX," 21 Mar. 2018
Buttered yam lattes—less cloying than the name suggests—are made with dairy-free oat milk, while a futuristic Mavam espresso machine dispenses shots from Coffee Manufactory beans.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "This Tiny Echo Park Coffeehouse Is Serving Food With Big Flavor," 12 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dispense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dispense

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin dispensare to exempt, from Latin, to distribute, from dis- + pensare to weigh, frequentative of pendere to weigh, pay out — more at spin

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

dispense Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of dispense

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group. distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.