administer

1 of 2

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

administrant

2 of 2

noun

ad·​min·​is·​trant əd-ˈmi-nə-strənt How to pronounce administrant (audio)
ad-
plural -s
: one that administers

Synonyms of administer

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of administer in a Sentence

Verb 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
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Verb
Advertisement Some may hesitate to perform CPR because of legal concerns over causing injury—like rib fractures—while administering CPR, but every state has Good Samaritan laws providing protections to people who render emergency aid in good faith. — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026 The group’s advocacy for narcotics was both far-out—the idea that Class As might ever be administered clinically or therapeutically by the NHS was a fringe pursuit—and shockingly comprehensive. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 Yet studies have found that Democratic and Republican election officials generally administer elections impartially despite their party affiliations. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Proceeds benefit education programming, mentorship, scholarships, professional development resources and community grants, including initiatives administered by The Fashion Group International. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for administer

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

administer + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1602, in the meaning defined above

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 20 Oct. 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
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