administer

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to manage or supervise the execution, use, or conduct of
administer a trust fund
2
a
: 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
administrable
əd-ˈmi-nə-strə-bəl How to pronounce administer (audio)
adjective
administrant
əd-ˈmi-nə-strənt How to pronounce administer (audio)
noun

Synonyms of administer

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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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The California Department of Social Services, the agency that administers the CalFresh dollars, said in June that about 665,000 state residents are in jeopardy of losing their benefits due to new work requirements. — Lizzie Kane july 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026 Every year, more than 3 billion injections are administered outside traditional healthcare settings in the United States. — Irina Butler, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026 The Election Assistance Commission, made up of members confirmed by the Senate, is tasked with helping states administer their elections and helping Americans participate in the voting process. — Selina Wang, ABC News, 10 July 2026 States, including Arkansas, are about to take on a large part of the incredible financial responsibility for administering SNAP, along with a significant portion of the program's benefit costs. — Arkansas Online, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for administer

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

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

Phrases Containing administer

Rhymes for administer

See All Rhymes for administer

Browse Nearby Words

adminicular
administer
administered price
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/administer. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

administer

verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter əd-ˈmin-ə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio)
administered; administering -st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce administer (audio)
1
: to direct the affairs of : manage
administer a government
2
: to give out as deserved
administer justice
3
: to give formally or ceremonially
administer the sacraments
4
: to give as treatment
administer a drug

Medical Definition

administer

transitive verb
ad·​min·​is·​ter əd-ˈmin-ə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio)
administered; administering -st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce administer (audio)
: to give (as medicine) remedially
the antibiotic may be administered orally or by injection

Legal Definition

administer

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

transitive verb

1
: to manage the affairs of (as a government or agency)
2
a
: to direct or supervise the execution, use, or conduct of
administer a trust fund
b
: to settle (an estate) under a court appointment as administrator or executor
3
a
: to give ritually
administer an oath
b
: to give (as a narcotic) for the purpose of ingesting

intransitive verb

1
: to perform the office of an administrator or executor
2
: to manage or conduct affairs
administrable
əd-ˈmi-nə-strə-bəl How to pronounce administer (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on administer

Nglish: Translation of administer for Spanish Speakers

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