DictionaryAI

administration

noun
ad-mi-nuh-STRAY-shuhn/ədˌmɪnəˈstɹeɪʃən/

Pluraladministrations

5 meanings of administration

Practice

  1. 1
    governmentnouncountable
    The government of a country, especially its leader and the top officials who work with them while they are in power.

    The administration promised to lower taxes this year.

    Many people wrote to the administration asking it to change the law.

    UsageOften with the leader's name first: the Obama administration. Also administration officials.

    Note
  2. 2
    noununcountable
    The work of running and organizing a business, a government, or another group or office.

    The new manager is good at administration but not so good at selling.

    Running the club involves a lot of administration, like keeping lists and collecting fees.

    UsageUsually no "a": a lot of administration. Say the administration of a club or an estate.

    Similarmanagement

  3. 3
    people in chargenouncountable
    A group of people whose job is to run an organization.

    The school administration decided to start classes an hour later.

    The museum administration raised ticket prices to pay for repairs.

    UsageOften with the place first: the school administration.

    Similarleadership

    Note
  4. 4
    giving (medicine)noununcountable
    The act of giving something to someone, such as medicine or a test.

    Careful administration of the medicine kept the patient safe.

    The administration of the test took about an hour.

    UsageSay the administration of a medicine or a test. Doctors also say oral administration, by mouth.

    Similardelivery, dispensing

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    bankruptcynounUKAustraliauncountable
    A legal process where an outside expert runs a company that cannot pay its debts, to save it or repay creditors.

    The toy company went into administration after a bad year.

    While in administration, the shop stayed open and kept its workers.

    UsageSay a company goes into administration or comes out of administration, with no "the".

    Note

Practice

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Origin

It came from Latin administratio, from administrare, meaning to manage or serve. It reached English through Old French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts