# administer

/ədˈmɪnəstɝ/ (US) · /ɐdmˈɪnɪstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/administer
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to manage or govern

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to manage the work of an organization or to be responsible for how something is run.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to give medicine

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to give a medical treatment or drug to someone.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to give a test or oath

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to officially give someone a test, a punishment, or a formal promise like an oath.

For teachers: 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'.

### 4. to manage a will

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to deal with the money and property of someone who has died.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The nurse will administer the vaccine now.
- A neutral third party was hired to administer the complex legal settlement between the two companies.
- The university board must administer the endowment funds according to strict ethical guidelines established by the founders to ensure long-term institutional stability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.