self-administer

verb

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

transitive + intransitive

: to administer (something, such as a drug) to oneself
can self-administer the drug with an inhaler
allowed to self-administer the test
Those regulations … also state that only a school nurse can apply medications, but exemptions exist that allow students in some cases to self-administer according to district guidelines.—Jennifer Bogdan

Examples of self-administer in a Sentence

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.
And people who are eager to lose extra weight — before a wedding or a vacation, for example — may choose to self-administer a higher-than-recommended dose, said Arthur Caplan, a bioethics professor at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. — Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026 In April 2026, Saphnelo launched a pen version, which is also FDA-approved, and allows patients to self-administer their treatments. — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026 Prescription requirements for medicines that adults can safely self-administer add costs and delays without improving safety. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026 It’s typically administered as two 200 mg injections per month and, importantly, can be self-administered by patients at home. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-administer

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-administer was in 1846

Rhymes for self-administer

See All Rhymes for self-administer

Browse Nearby Words

self-adjustment
self-administer
self-administered plan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-administer. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

self-administer

transitive verb
self-ad·​min·​i·​ster -əd-ˈmi-nə-stər How to pronounce self-administer (audio)
: to administer (as a drug) to oneself
self-administered an analgesic
self-administration
-ˌmin-ə-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce self-administer (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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