dispense

verb

dis·pense di-ˈspen(t)s

dispensed; dispensing

Synonyms of dispense next

transitive verb

: to divide and share out according to a plan : to deal out in portions

dispense food among the needy

: administer

dispense justice

: 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

: to prepare and distribute (medication)

dispensing pills to their patients

intransitive verb

archaic : to grant dispensation

Phrases

dispense with

: to set aside : discard

dispensing with the usual introduction

: 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

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 so, typically hospitals have favored opioids, which are dispensed by a pharmacy upon a patient’s discharge at little or no cost to the hospital. —

Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 For every five plates finished, a short anime or game plays on the tablet screen at the table; and a prize is dispensed from a machine triggered by every 15th plate placed in a tableside disposal slot. —

Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Nov. 2024 According to Olaplex, turn the bottle upside down and tap it to dispense a measured drop. —

Jenny Berg, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024 This is someone who felt all pleasantries had been dispensed with after typing the title of a book and the full name of its author. —

Sloane Crosley, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dispense

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dispense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispense. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

dispense

verb

dis·pense dis-ˈpen(t)s

dispensed; dispensing

: to give out in shares

dispense charity

: to give out as deserved

dispense justice

: to prepare and give out (medicines)

Medical Definition

dispense

transitive verb

dis·pense dis-ˈpen(t)s

dispensed; dispensing

: to put up (a prescription or medicine)

: to prepare and distribute (medication)

Last Updated: 16 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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dispense

verb

Synonyms

Examples of dispense in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near dispense

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition