# administer

Pronunciation: US say "ad-MIN-i-stur" /ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stɚ/; UK/AUS say "ad-MIN-i-stuh" /ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stə/

## Verb

1. To manage or supervise how something is conducted or carried out, working in an administrative role.
   - Simple: To manage and be in charge of how something is done or carried out.
   - _Government agencies administer the programs that distribute federal aid._
   - _A board of trustees administers the university's endowment._
2. To give a drug to a patient, whether by mouth or by any other route.
   - Simple: To give a medicine or drug to a sick person or animal.
   - _Paramedics administer oxygen at the scene of an accident._
   - _She administered the painkiller directly into a vein._
3. To apportion something out and distribute it among recipients.
   - Simple: To share something out and give parts of it to different people.
   - _Relief workers administer supplies across the affected region._
   - _The fund administers grants to dozens of local schools._
4. To formally give an oath, as to a witness or an incoming officeholder.
   - Simple: To formally give an oath to someone, having them make a serious promise.
   - _Court clerks administer the oath to each witness who testifies._
   - _The chief justice administered the oath of office to the president._
5. To give a person or animal a drug to swallow, whether by offering it openly or by deception.
   - Simple: To get a person or animal to swallow a drug, either openly or by tricking them.
   - _Poisoners administer the toxin in food or drink to avoid detection._
   - _The vet administered the pill by concealing it in a treat._
6. To settle and distribute the estate of a person who dies without a will, or whose will lacks an executor.
   - Simple: To take charge of and settle the property of someone who has died without leaving a will.
   - _The probate court appoints an administrator to administer the estate when no valid will exists._
   - _She administers intestate estates as part of her legal practice._
7. To attend to and care for the needs of another person.
   - Simple: To look after someone and help with what they need.
   - _Volunteers administer to families displaced by the flood._
   - _The chaplain administered to the dying soldier's spiritual needs._

## Origin

From Middle English administren, borrowed via Old French aminister from Latin administrare ("to manage, execute"), which combines ad ("to") with ministrare ("to attend, serve"), from minister ("servant").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/administer (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).