dispense

verb

dis·​pense di-ˈspen(t)s How to pronounce dispense (audio)
dispensed; dispensing

transitive verb

1
a
: to divide and share out according to a plan : to deal out in portions
dispense food among the needy
b
: administer
dispense justice
2
: to exempt from a law or release from a vow, oath, or impediment : to give dispensation (see dispensation sense 2a) to : exempt
may dispense students from this requirement
3
: to prepare and distribute (medication)
dispensing pills to their patients

intransitive verb

archaic : to grant dispensation
Phrases
dispense with
1
: to set aside : discard
dispensing with the usual introduction
2
: to do without
could dispense with such a large staff
Choose the Right Synonym for dispense

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group.

distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Examples of dispense in a Sentence

The ATM only dispenses $20 bills. a newspaper columnist who dispenses advice to millions of readers each week Pharmacists are certified to dispense medication.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Simply dispense your sunscreen along the length of your pointer and middle fingers to ensure your face and neck have a proper layer of UV protection. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Mar. 2025 The bar’s dishwasher could not dispense sanitizer, and the bartender reportedly did not know how to test whether the dishwasher had sufficient sanitizer. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025 This includes dispensing supplemental funding to high-poverty K-12 school districts that provide vital child care services for many low-income and rural communities across the country. Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025 Medicaid, the healthcare program for low-income people, improperly dispensed $31.1 billion. Kevin R. Kosar, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispense

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin dispensare to exempt, from Latin, to distribute, from dis- + pensare to weigh, frequentative of pendere to weigh, pay out — more at spin

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispense was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispense. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

dispense

verb
dis·​pense dis-ˈpen(t)s How to pronounce dispense (audio)
dispensed; dispensing
1
a
: to give out in shares
dispense charity
b
: to give out as deserved
dispense justice
2
: to prepare and give out (medicines)

Medical Definition

dispense

transitive verb
dis·​pense dis-ˈpen(t)s How to pronounce dispense (audio)
dispensed; dispensing
1
: to put up (a prescription or medicine)
2
: to prepare and distribute (medication)

More from Merriam-Webster on dispense

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