Words / B2

uhd-MIN-ist-uh/ədˈmɪnɪstə/

To administer is to manage an organisation or scheme, or to give a drug or treatment: administer a trust, administer first aid. Run and give are everyday; manage is close for the office sense. Administration is the noun. In speech, run the scheme / give the medicine is enough. Administer is official, often medical or legal. Do not use it for handing someone a biscuit — that is give.

Meaning

To manage an organisation, or to give a drug or treatment.

Examples

• “The nurse administered the medicine twice a day.”
• “The college administers the bursary, but tutors still write the references.”
• “A trained first-aider administered oxygen until the ambulance arrived.”

Good to know

Manage a scheme, or give a drug/treatment. Everyday: run / give. Noun: administration. Official; medical or legal.

Near in meaning

manage

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