dispense

verb

dis·​pense di-ˈspen(t)s 

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 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

Phrases

dispense with

1

: to set aside : discard

dispensing with the usual introduction

2

: to do without

could dispense with such a large staff

Synonyms

• administer
• allocate
• apportion
• deal (out)
• distribute
• dole out
• hand out
• mete (out)
• parcel (out)
• portion
• prorate

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

The pair often smoked marijuana together on their beachfront balconies, where John Spahi would dispense unsolicited advice on life and women, Reach said. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Since April 2022, South Korea’s government has handed out vouchers worth 2 million won (around $1,500) to parents who produce their first child, with another 3 million won dispensed for every additional child. —Chad De Guzman, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024

This contrasts with California, where the only prescription treatments pharmacists can unilaterally dispense involve HIV prevention, smoking cessation, and birth control — all of which are also available from Colorado pharmacists. —Jeffrey Singer, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

The burden of medical issues among children in the holding areas is difficult to measure, since volunteers are only permitted at the sites at the discretion of border agents, and a hodgepodge of aid groups does not keep a collective record of wounds treated or electrolytes dispensed. —Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

Yet with the benefit of hindsight, the wisest move here frankly would have been to dispense with the people entirely, provide a few subtitles and just go straight to the battles, jettisoning what meager plot there is. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024

Pharmacist Pharmacists have several responsibilities in relation to medication management including dispensing prescription medication, providing education and counseling to patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. —Goldie Chan, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

And it can be used in two different ways: For gradual color, pump two to three drops into your daily moisturizer; for maximum color, dispense a small amount into the palm of your hand and spread evenly across your face. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024

The agency temporarily lifted a requirement that the drug be dispensed in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic, and made the change permanent in late 2021. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing dispense

• dispense with

Kids Definition

dispense

verb

dis·​pense dis-ˈpen(t)s 

dispensed; dispensing

1

a

: to give out in shares

dispense charity

b

: to give out as deserved

dispense justice

2

: to prepare and give out (medicines)

Medical Definition

dispense

transitive verb

dis·​pense dis-ˈpen(t)s 

dispensed; dispensing

1

: to put up (a prescription or medicine)

2

: to prepare and distribute (medication)