Administer
/ədˈmɪnɪstər/
verbIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
To manage and control the affairs of; direct.
/ədˈmɪnɪstər/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
To manage or supervise
The teacher administered the test.
💡 Simply: To be in charge of something.
More Examples
2
The hospital administrators are responsible for the budget.
How It's Used
Business
"She administers the company's finances."
Government
"The government administers various social programs."
2
To give or apply (a drug, medicine, or other substance) to someone or something.
/ədˈmɪnɪstər/
verbneutralIntermediate
Medical
To give or apply something (medicine, etc.)
The doctor administered the anesthesia.
💡 Simply: To give someone a medicine or injection.
More Examples
2
The medication was administered intravenously.
How It's Used
Medical
"The nurse administered the injection."
Tip:Think of a nurse administering medicine.
From Latin *administrare*, from *ad-* "to" + *ministrare* "to serve, attend to".
Historically, the word's usage emphasized the idea of service or governance.
Memory tip
Think 'admin' (administrator) + 'ister' (suggests action/control).
Practice
Base: administer
adminsteradmnister
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written