Dispense
To distribute or provide something, especially in measured portions; to administer or supply. Also, in the phrase 'dispense with,' to do away with or omit something.
verbDispense
To distribute or provide something, especially in measured portions; to administer or supply. Also, in the phrase 'dispense with,' to do away with or omit something.
verbImagine This
Imagine a busy pharmacy where a machine dispenses pills into labeled bottles, counting each dose as it pours. In a boardroom, the chair dispenses with the usual formalities and gets straight to the agenda.
Sounds Like
di-SPENS
Looks Like
Looks like expense or defense—shares the dis- prefix and ends with -pense, which can hint at distributing something outward.
Remember This
Dispense has two main senses: distributing or providing something, and omitting or doing away with something (dispense with). The second sense often appears in formal or administrative contexts.
Other Forms
Connect With
distribute, allocate, administer, ration; 'dispense with' = do without, omit, discard
Note
Common collocations include 'dispense medications,' 'dispense services,' and the phrasal verb 'dispense with' (to omit or do away with). Not to be confused with 'dispensary,' the place where items are dispensed.