Word
administer
Phoneticsad·min·is·ter, stress on the second syllable
US/ədˈmɪnəstɝ/
UK/ɐdmˈɪnɪstɐ/
Definitions
01to manage or govern
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to manage the work of an organization or to be responsible for how something is run.
v. to manage or supervise the execution, conduct, or performance of an organization or process.
“The university has a dedicated team to administer the new scholarship program.”
“The civil service was tasked to administer the relief funds efficiently to ensure they reached the most vulnerable populations before winter.”
Usage
Often used in the context of government, law, or large corporate structures.
02to give medicine
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
v. to give a medical treatment or drug to someone.
v. to dispense or apply a remedy or drug to a patient.
“The nurse will administer the vaccine once you have signed the form.”
“Paramedics are trained to administer life-saving medication in high-pressure environments before the patient reaches the hospital.”
Usage
Usually takes a direct object (the drug) and often uses the preposition 'to' for the recipient.
03to give a test or oath
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
v. to officially give someone a test, a punishment, or a formal promise like an oath.
v. to carry out the formal delivery of a ritual, requirement, or penalty.
“The teacher will administer the final exam at the end of the month.”
“The Chief Justice arrived to administer the oath of office to the newly elected president during the ceremony.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'oath', 'test', 'justice', or 'punishment'.
04to manage a will
C2 · Proficiency Law Technical · Formal
v. to deal with the money and property of someone who has died.
v. to manage and settle the estate of a deceased person.
“It took several months for the lawyers to administer the complex estate.”
“The executor was granted the legal authority to administer the estate and distribute the assets according to the deceased's final wishes.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “administer” in context.
Verb
01. administer a dose
“The nurse was instructed to administer a dose of the antibiotic every six hours.”
verb + noun
02. administer a test
“Teachers are required to administer a standardized test at the end of the semester.”
verb + noun
03. administer an oath
“The Chief Justice will administer the oath of office to the new president.”
verb + noun
04. administer justice
“The court's primary function is to administer justice fairly and impartially.”
verb + noun
Adverb
05. efficiently administer
“The new software helps the department efficiently administer the payroll system.”
adv + verb
06. locally administered
“The funds are locally administered by the municipal council to ensure they reach the community.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“The administration’s Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations also advocate for separating the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three single-disease shots that would be administered during separate medical appointments.” “The staff who created the clinic thought: why not use one of those vacant units to administer vaccines?” “The council is part of UKRI and administers research funding for particle physics and astronomy.” “These include fewer vaccinations overall and a recommendation that the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine be replaced with separate shots for each disease administered during separate medical visits.” Etymology
From Middle English administren, from Old French aminister, from Latin administrare (“to manage, execute”), from ad (“to”) + ministrare (“to attend, serve”), from minister (“servant”); see minister.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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