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

see also:

dispense with

Synonyms of dispense

• distribute
• provide
• administer
• allocate

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

By the coffee station is a faucet that immediately dispenses either ice-cold or boiling water—a feature all hotels should adopt immediately. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026

Not that Duvall was ever going to dispense lessons on acting. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026

Ferreira dispensed with the usual pablum, about not focusing on results, taking it one day at a time, enjoying the journey and what have you. —Sean Gregory, Time, 18 Feb. 2026

As for the new tunnel, slim it down by dispensing with outmoded technology that the rest of the world has abandoned like bench walls and, most critically, change the alignment of the tunnel. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dispensen, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French despenser, borrowed from Latin dispensāre "to pay out, distribute, manage, administer, order, regulate," from dis- dis- + pensāre "to weigh, weigh out, treat as a setoff (against a debt), exchange, counterbalance," iterative of pendere "to weigh, have a weight of, pay (out), estimate, consider" — more at pendent

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for dispense

• commence
• condense
• defence
• defense
• expense
• fourpence
• halfpence
• immense
• incense
• intense
• missense
• offence

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)