# administration

/ædˌmɪnɪˈstɹeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɐdmˌɪnɪstɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/administration
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. management of a business

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

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

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

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

- The new administration promised to lower taxes during their first year in office.
- The administration faced significant criticism from the opposition regarding its handling of the recent economic crisis.

Teaching tip: In American English, this is the standard term for the executive branch; in British English, 'the government' is more common.

### 3. period of leadership

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

- Many new laws were passed during the previous administration.
- 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').

### 4. giving something

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

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

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

- The administration of the vaccine took only a few seconds.
- 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'.

### 5. insolvency process

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Technical

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

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

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

## Examples

- She works in the hospital administration office.
- The new administration promised to lower taxes and improve public infrastructure within its first year.
- Effective school administration requires a delicate balance between strict budgetary oversight and the flexible support of pedagogical innovation.

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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.