give someone their treatment or medication

administer

verb|/ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stər/

Give or apply a treatment, medicine, or intervention

Examples

In a meeting

Nurses will administer the wellness survey to all patients at intake.

Over coffee

The doctor will administer the vaccine during your appointment.

Why this word

give

Administer implies formal, controlled delivery following procedures (medicine, tests), while give is casual and lacks professional context

provide

Administer specifies the act of delivering treatment or executing a process, while provide merely means making available

apply

Administer indicates systematic delivery with authority or expertise, while apply is general and doesn't convey professional procedure

Usage tip

Use when formally delivering treatment, tests, or programs. Conveys professional execution and proper procedure.

Etymology

Latin 'administrare' meaning 'to manage', from 'ad-' (to) + 'ministrare' (to serve)

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