dispense

verb

dis·pense | \ di-ˈspen(t)s

dispensed; dispensing

Definition of dispense

1a : 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 sense 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

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about dispense

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for 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. distributed food to the needy dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need. dispensed wisdom to the students divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal. three charitable groups divided the proceeds deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece. deal out equipment and supplies dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply. doled out what little food there was

Examples of dispense in a Sentence

The ATM only dispenses $20 bills. a newspaper columnist who dispenses advice to millions of readers each week Pharmacists are certified to dispense medication.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each was convinced their child was sick, poisoned by polio drops dispensed in the latest government vaccination campaign. — The Economist, "Pakistan is trying new tactics to eliminate polio," 5 July 2019 Automatic pet feeders have come a long way from the old models that dispense kibble via gravity, although those are still popular. — Nicole Forsyth, The Mercury News, "Dollars and Pets: Automatic food dishes go high tech," 27 June 2019 The New York Times reports that minibars at the Hard Rock dispense beverages from large bottles of liquor that hang upside-down in a cabinet. — Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, "Hard Rock Hotel in Dominican Republic, Where 2 Americans Died, to Remove Minibar Liquor Dispensers," 24 June 2019 Optician: After receiving a prescription from optometrists or ophthalmologists, an optician dispenses lenses, frames and other optical devices. — Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Protect your eyes for life with healthy diet, sun shielding," 24 June 2019 The Yankees were fortunate to have two head coaches guiding and instructing the players with Mike Ruthemeyer and Anthony Polazzi sharing the responsibilities and dispensing their knowledge of the game with the young ball players. — Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, "Lighthouse Point Yankees outslugs Red Sox to take coach pitch division crown," 20 June 2019 That’s the state agency that dispenses tax dollars to Oregon’s universities and community colleges. — oregonlive.com, "PSU considers cutting tuition increase from 11% to 4.9%," 13 June 2019 His features moved with a kind of terse, unhurried poise, dispensing tonal changes and dramatic developments at a steady drip. — Max Nelson, Harper's magazine, "The All-Seeing Eye," 10 June 2019 In comparison, Pelebox dispenses medicines within just 36 seconds. — Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, Quartz Africa, "A battle with TB inspired his smart medicine dispenser, now it’s won Africa’s top engineering prize," 5 June 2019

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.