1
a(1)
: a grant of government funds to the unemployed
had been on the dole for a year
(2)
: a giving or distribution of food, money, or clothing to the needy
b
: something distributed at intervals to the needy
also
: handout sense 1
c
: something portioned out bit by bit
2
archaic
: one's allotted share, portion, or destiny
doled; doling
: to give or distribute as a charity
—usually used with out
dole out food to needy families
Synonyms
Examples of dole in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a millionaire who was known for his annual Christmas dole to needy-looking strangers he met on the street
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
The result has been sporadic doles of grudging emergency funding to meet periodic crises, leaving little certainty about the future.
—Simon J. Potter, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2023
David Axe, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
Local cultural agency Gertie rounded up about $400,000 in foundation funding and then doled it out to some very cool projects.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dole 
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Noun
Residents also grew frustrated, as migrants reluctantly snared in endless court proceedings appeared to be gaming the system and living off the taxpayers’ dole.
—Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
The result has been sporadic doles of grudging emergency funding to meet periodic crises, leaving little certainty about the future.
—Simon J. Potter, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2023
Verb
What the Americans are planning on doing, in essence, is pledging a year’s worth of aid all at once—instead of doling it out in small batches every few weeks.
—David Axe, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
Local cultural agency Gertie rounded up about $400,000 in foundation funding and then doled it out to some very cool projects.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dole
Dictionary Entries Near dole
Cite this Entry
“Dole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dole. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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Biographical Definition
Dole
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Sanford Ballard 1844–1926 American jurist; president (1894–1900) and governor (1900–03) of Hawaii
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