dole

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈdōl 

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

dole

2 of 3

verb

doled; doling

transitive verb

: to give or distribute as a charity

—usually used with out

dole out food to needy families

dole

3 of 3

noun (2)

archaic

: grief, sorrow

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• almsgiving
• charity
• philanthropy

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

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, from Old English dāl portion — more at deal entry 3

Noun (2)

Middle English dol, from Anglo-French duel, dol, from Late Latin dolus, alteration of Latin dolor — see dolor

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dole

• dole money
• dole out
• going on the dole
• off the dole
• on the dole
• the dole

Kids Definition

dole

1 of 2 noun

ˈdōl 

1

: a giving out of food, money, or clothing to the needy

2

: something given out as charity

dole

2 of 2 verb

doled; doling

1

: to give out as charity

2

: to give or deliver in small portions : parcel

—usually used with out

Biographical Definition

Dole 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈdōl 

Bob 1923–2021 Robert Joseph Dole American politician

Dole

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Sanford Ballard 1844–1926 American jurist; president (1894–1900) and governor (1900–03) of Hawaii