noun
dispensation
The act of distributing or administering something.
The office supervised the dispensation of emergency supplies.
Etymology
The Latin verb names distributing or administering. This sense of dispensation preserves the practical allocation of goods, services, or responsibilities.
More examples
- Careful records tracked the dispensation of medicine.
- The report criticized delays in the dispensation of aid.
- The official oversaw the dispensation of public funds.
Forms
dispensation
Similar words
- distribution
- Distribution is the ordinary term; dispensation can emphasize authorized administration of supplies or benefits.
- allocation
- Allocation assigns shares or resources; dispensation concerns handing them out or administering them.