dispense

verb

dis·​pense di-ˈspen(t)s How to pronounce dispense (audio)
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
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 Hindenburg, in his mid-eighties and growing weak, became fed up with Schleicher’s Machiavellian stratagems and dispensed with him as Chancellor. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Chris Hemsworth Goes for the Gold in Limited-Edition Audemars Piguet Chris Hemsworth dispensed with a tie on the Academy Awards red carpet but did accessorize with an intriguing limited-edition watch from Audemars Piguet. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Holding the door open Mentorship has always existed in Hollywood, and has been particularly important for women: Jane Fonda learned from Katharine Hepburn on the set of On Golden Pond, while Meryl Streep frequently dispenses life advice to Viola Davis. Ellie Austin, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 If such a ruling allowed pharmacies to continue dispensing, more patients might obtain the medication there. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 In March, the Supreme Court will hear arguments that these revisions should be reversed, so mifepristone can once again only be dispensed under pre-2016 guidance. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 27 Feb. 2024 The federal government also has relaxed COVID-19 guidelines, including by dispensing with the minimum five-day isolation period for people with COVID-19. Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 During her fourth-round match with Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open, Gilbert and Riba were dispensing advice courtside and microphones picked up Gauff telling them to be quiet. Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 His sidelining demonstrates the extent to which Khamenei and his clique have tightened their grip on the reins of power and further dispensed with the trappings of democracy for which the regime often congratulates itself. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dispense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispense was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dispense

Cite this Entry

“Dispense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispense. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dispense

verb
dis·​pense dis-ˈpen(t)s How to pronounce dispense (audio)
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 How to pronounce dispense (audio)
dispensed; dispensing
1
: to put up (a prescription or medicine)
2
: to prepare and distribute (medication)

More from Merriam-Webster on dispense

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