administering

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ad•min•is•ter /ædˈmɪnəstɚ/   v. 

1. to have executive charge of;
   manage:
   [~ + object] He administered the department.
2. [~ + object] to dispense;
   mete out:
   to administer justice fairly.
3. [~ + object] to give ritually or formally:
   to administer the sacraments.
4. to apply as a remedy:
   [~ + object (+ to + object)] administered a painkilling drug to the patient.
5. to supervise the formal taking of:
   [~ + object (+ to + object)] administered the oath of office to the new President.
6. to aid;
   minister:
   [~ + to + object] administered to the poor.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ad•min•is•ter  (ad min′ə stər), v.t. 

1. to manage (affairs, a government, etc.); have executive charge of:
   to administer the law.
2. to bring into use or operation:
   to administer justice; to administer last rites.
3. to make application of;
   give:
   to administer medicine.
4. to supervise the formal taking of (an oath or the like).
5. Law to manage or dispose of, as a decedent's estate by an executor or administrator or a trust estate by a trustee.

v.i. 

6. to contribute assistance;
   bring aid or supplies (usually fol. by to):
   to administer to the poor.
7. to perform the duties of an administrator:
   She administers quite effectively.

• Middle French aministrer
• Latin administrāre to assist, carry out, manage the affairs of (see ad-, minister); replacing Middle English amynistre (with a-⁵)
• 1325–75

ad•min•is•trant  (ad min′ə strənt), n.  Synonyms

• 1. conduct, control, execute; direct, superintend, supervise, oversee. See rule. 
• 2. distribute, supply, furnish.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

administer / ədˈmɪnɪstə/ verb (mainly tr)

1. (also intr) to direct or control (the affairs of a business, government, etc)
2. to put into execution; dispense: administer justice
3. when intr, followed by to: to give or apply (medicine, assistance, etc) as a remedy or relief
4. to apply formally; perform
5. to supervise or impose the taking of (an oath, etc)
6. to manage or distribute (an estate, property, etc)

Etymology: 14th Century: amynistre, via Old French from Latin administrare, from ad- to + ministrāre to minister