dispense
verb
dis·pense
di-ˈspen(t)s 
dispensed; dispensing
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
archaic
: to grant dispensation
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
This way, organizations can dispense with the blame game altogether.
—
Liz Kislik, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Four hour-long episodes turn out to be an awfully long way to go for the suggestion that the truth can be murky — especially when the next four go ahead and dispense with that ambiguity entirely.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, Delta VoiceIQ Technology reduces water waste using hands-free activation to dispense water needed for a specific task.
—Lisa A. Beach, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Place pour spout at an angle in a coupe or Nick and Nora glass and carefully tap the lever to slowly dispense.
—Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispense
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Liz Kislik, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Four hour-long episodes turn out to be an awfully long way to go for the suggestion that the truth can be murky — especially when the next four go ahead and dispense with that ambiguity entirely.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, Delta VoiceIQ Technology reduces water waste using hands-free activation to dispense water needed for a specific task.
—Lisa A. Beach, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Place pour spout at an angle in a coupe or Nick and Nora glass and carefully tap the lever to slowly dispense.
—Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dispense
Cite this Entry
“Dispense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispense. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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)
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