ENGLISH
REFERENCE

administration

n.
US //ædˌmɪnɪˈstɹeɪʃən// UK //ɐdmˌɪnɪstɹˈeɪʃən// ad·min·is·tra·tion
  1. 1 management of a business (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Business

    the activities and tasks involved in managing a business, school, or organization.

    the process or activity of running a business, organization, or institution; often refers to the clerical and logistical side of management.

    Example

    She works in the hospital administration, handling all the patient records and staff schedules.

    Example

    The university has decided to streamline its administration to reduce overhead costs and improve the efficiency of student services.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the activity itself.
  2. 2 the government (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Politics

    the group of people who lead a government or a country.

    the executive branch of a government, including the head of state and their cabinet or advisors.

    Example

    The new administration promised to lower taxes during their first year in office.

    Example

    The administration faced significant criticism from the opposition regarding its handling of the recent economic crisis.

    Teacher's tip

    In American English, this is the standard term for the executive branch; in British English, 'the government' is more common.
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  1. 3 period of leadership (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Politics

    the period of time when a particular leader or government is in power.

    the term of office of a specific political leader or executive body.

    Example

    Many new laws were passed during the previous administration.

    Example

    Historians often compare the economic policies of the current administration with those of the 1990s.

    Usage

    Usually follows a possessive noun or 'the' + adjective (e.g., 'the Biden administration').
  2. 4 giving something (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Medicine

    the act of giving something to someone, like a medicine or a test.

    the act of dispensing or tendering something, such as a medical treatment, a drug, or a formal oath.

    Example

    The administration of the vaccine took only a few seconds.

    Example

    Careful monitoring is required during the administration of the sedative to ensure the patient does not have an adverse reaction.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
  3. 5 insolvency process (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Technical Law

    a legal process for a company that cannot pay its debts, where an expert takes control to save it.

    a legal procedure in which an insolvent company is placed under the management of an administrator to protect it from creditors.

    Example

    The department store went into administration after failing to find a new buyer.

    Example

    The airline entered administration yesterday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and employees uncertain about their future.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'to go into administration'.
Origin

From Middle English administracioun, from Old French administration, from Latin administratio, from administrare; see administer; compare French administration. Equivalent to administrate + -ion.

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