dispatch
Americanverb (used with object)
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to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc.
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to dismiss (a person), as after an audience.
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to put to death; kill.
The spy was promptly dispatched.
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to transact or dispose of (a matter) promptly or speedily.
verb (used without object)
noun
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the sending off of a messenger, letter, etc., to a destination.
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the act of putting to death; killing; execution.
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prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.
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expeditious performance; promptness or speed.
Proceed with all possible dispatch.
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Commerce.
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a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.
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a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.
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a written message sent with speed.
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an official communication sent by special messenger.
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Journalism. a news story transmitted to a newspaper, wire service, or the like, by one of its reporters, or by a wire service to a newspaper or other news agency.
idioms
verb
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to send off promptly, as to a destination or to perform a task
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to discharge or complete (a task, duty, etc) promptly
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informal to eat up quickly
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to murder or execute
noun
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the act of sending off a letter, messenger, etc
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prompt action or speed (often in the phrase with dispatch )
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an official communication or report, sent in haste
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journalism a report sent to a newspaper, etc, by a correspondent
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murder or execution
Other Word Forms
- dispatcher noun
- outdispatch verb (used with object)
- predispatch noun
- redispatch verb (used with object)
- self-dispatch noun
- undispatched adjective
- undispatching adjective
Etymology
Origin of dispatch
1510–20; < Italian dispacciare to hasten, speed, or < Spanish despachar both ultimately < Old French despeechier to unshackle, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + -peechier < Late Latin -pedicāre to shackle; impeach
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The health ministry said ambulances had been dispatched but there was no immediate confirmation of casualties.
From Barron's
It has been dispatching engineers to China to see how it manages to build reactors comparatively quickly.
An air ambulance was dispatched to HMP Frankland, but the North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said the injured inmate was taken to hospital by road.
From BBC
Another resident made an emergency call and an ambulance was dispatched immediately, arriving at the scene eight minutes later, according to call logs provided to the BBC by the Palestinian Red Crescent.
From BBC
Wafers travel in special pods that are carried on a track system similar to the New York City subway, with local and express lines, station stops and a sophisticated dispatch system.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
