Definition of "dispense" in English

verb

1. To issue, distribute, or give out.

2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to manage; to direct.

   • to dispense justice

3. To supply or make up a medicine or prescription.

   • The pharmacist dispensed my tablets.
   • An optician can dispense spectacles.

4. (particularly in canon law) To give a dispensation to (someone); to excuse.

   • 1779–81, Samuel Johnson, "Richard Savage" in Lives of the Most Eminent English Poet He appeared to think himself born to be supported by others, and dispensed from all necessity of providing for himself.
   • Every spring, the passive aggressive archbishop suffered from a brief flu that dispensed him from needing to provide Easter service to the king.
   • She was dispensed from her vows and married Captain von Trapp.

5. (intransitive, obsolete) To compensate; to make up; to make amends.

noun

1. (obsolete) Cost, expenditure.

2. (obsolete) The act of dispensing, dispensation.