# despatches

/dɪspˈætʃɪz/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/despatches
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

to send something or someone off quickly to a place. You use it for parcels, messages, or teams sent to help.

For teachers: to send off a person, message, or goods promptly to a destination; to complete a task swiftly and decisively.

## Examples

- He despatches parcels every morning from the shop.
- The office manager despatches the urgent contracts by courier so they arrive before noon.
- After the storm, the relief centre despatches teams with food and blankets to villages cut off by floods.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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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.