work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of
"administer a program"
"she administers the funds"
administer or bestow, as in small portions
"administer critical remarks to everyone present"
"dole out some money"
"shell out pocket money for the children"
"deal a blow to someone"
"the machine dispenses soft drinks"
give or apply (medications)
"The nurse will administer the medication to the patient before surgery."
To cause to ingest (a drug), either by openly offering or through deceit.
"The nurse carefully administered the medication to ensure the patient ingested the correct dosage."
In plain English: To administer something means to give it out, carry out a task, or manage an organization.
"The nurse will administer the medicine to help reduce your fever."
Usage: Use administer when referring specifically to giving medicine, drugs, or tests directly to someone, rather than general management tasks which use manage or oversee. Ensure the subject is a person performing the action of delivery, as this verb does not describe abstract concepts like administering justice in everyday contexts.
The word "administer" comes from the Latin administrare, meaning "to manage or execute," which combined the idea of going to someone (ad) with serving them (ministrare). It entered English through Middle French and originally referred to a servant attending to another person before evolving into its current sense of managing affairs.