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administer

verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter | \ əd-ˈmi-nə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio) \
administered; administering\ -​st(ə-​)riŋ How to pronounce administering (audio) \

Definition of administer

transitive verb

1 : to manage or supervise the execution, use, or conduct of administer a trust fund
2a : to provide or apply : dispense administer justice administer punishment
b : to give officially or as part of a ritual administer a test administer the last rites
c : to give remedially administer a dose of medicine

intransitive verb

1 : to perform the office of administrator
2 : to furnish a benefit : minister administer to an ailing friend
3 : to manage affairs
Other Words from administer Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about administer

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Other Words from administer

administrable \ -​strə-​bəl How to pronounce administrable (audio) \ adjective
administrant \ -​strənt How to pronounce administrant (audio) \ noun

Examples of administer in a Sentence

As a cost-saving measure, voters have elected to have the two towns administered jointly. The UN personnel are there to help administer the territory. She's been hired to administer the fund. The assistant will administer the test. a priest to administer the sacraments
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Recent Examples on the Web

 That standard has traditionally been used in full-scale deportation proceedings administered by an immigration judge where migrants are given an evidentiary hearing, access to counsel, time to prepare, and a right to a review. — Gustavo Solis, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Remain in Mexico: migrants face uphill climb to get out of program," 12 Aug. 2019 The constitutional change downgrades Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood to a territory administered by New Delhi. — Los Angeles Times, "Fear and tension mount in Kashmir’s largest city amid lockdown," 8 Aug. 2019 Kashmir has been claimed by both Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan -- and administered by India -- since the two countries won their independence shortly after World War II. — oregonlive.com, "Kashmir, nexus of conflict between nuclear antagonists India and Pakistan, faces crackdown, plunges into fear," 5 Aug. 2019 The total number of songs owned and administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing as of March 31, 2019 is listed as more than 4.5 million. — Richard Smirke, Billboard, "Lil Nas X Effect: Sony's Recorded Music Sales Top $1 Billion as Streaming Revenues Climb," 30 July 2019 Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy, was poisoned along with his daughter in Salisbury, England, last year with a potent nerve agent administered by two officers from Russia’s military intelligence, Britain said. — Neil Macfarquhar, BostonGlobe.com, "Fears of Navalny poisoning are rooted in previous attacks on Kremlin foes," 29 July 2019 The people had health benefits administered by industry giants, including Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. — Marshall Allen, ProPublica, "Health Insurers Make It Easy for Scammers to Steal Millions. Who Pays? You.," 19 July 2019 The trust is secret — not open to the public — and administered by trustees. — Mola Lenghi, CBS News, "What's next for Epstein's Zorro Ranch, where accusers say they were raped and trafficked," 31 Aug. 2019 McClung received a total of 10 milligrams of hydromorphone through two doses administered by different nurses in a short span. — Washington Post, "2 largest settlements yet add $9M over deaths tied to doctor," 27 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of administer

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

History and Etymology for administer

Middle English administren, aministren, borrowed from Anglo-French administrer, aministrer, borrowed from Latin administrāre "to assist, operate, perform, manage the affairs of," from ad- ad- + ministrāre "to wait on, serve, furnish" — more at minister entry 2

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More Definitions for administer

administer

verb
How to pronounce administer (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of administer

: to manage the operation of (something, such as a company or government) or the use of (something, such as property)
: to provide or apply (something, such as justice) : to put (something) into effect
: to give or present (something) officially or as part of a ceremony

See the full definition for administer in the English Language Learners Dictionary

administer

verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter | \ əd-ˈmi-nə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio) \
administered; administering

Kids Definition of administer

1 : to be in charge of : manage She administers an athletic program.
2 : to give out as deserved administer justice
3 : to give officially administer an oath The teacher administered the test.
4 : to give or supply as treatment administer medicine

administer

transitive verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter

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