# dispense

/dɪˈspɛns/ (US) · /dɪspˈɛns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dispense
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to distribute

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to give out or provide something to a group of people.

For teachers: to distribute or provide a service or information to a number of people.

- The machine in the lobby will dispense fresh water for free.
- The charity set up a temporary station to dispense emergency supplies and clean water to the residents affected by the flood.

### 2. to prepare medicine

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to prepare and give out medicine, usually in a pharmacy.

For teachers: to prepare and distribute medical prescriptions or pharmaceutical products.

- The pharmacist will dispense your medication once the doctor signs the form.
- Hospital regulations require two staff members to be present when the pharmacy team dispenses controlled substances to the wards.

### 3. to administer justice

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give out justice or apply laws to a situation.

For teachers: to administer or execute laws, justice, or punishments.

- The judge's job is to dispense justice fairly to everyone.
- The tribunal was established to dispense justice in cases where local courts were deemed to have a conflict of interest.

### 4. to do without

verb · CEFR B2

to stop using something or decide you do not need it.

For teachers: to manage without or get rid of something; always used with the preposition 'with'.

- Since we have the new software, we can dispense with the paper files.
- The chairman suggested that they dispense with the formal introductions to save time for the actual debate.

Usage: Always takes the preposition 'with' in this sense.

## Examples

- The machine will dispense a ticket after you pay.
- The charity began to dispense food and clean water to the families affected by the flood.
- The new management decided to dispense with the traditional hierarchy in favor of a more collaborative and flexible team structure.

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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.