C1verbformalhealthmoney
US/dɪˈspens/
UK/dɪˈspens/
to give out things such as drinks, money or medicine, often from a machine; also to give advice
In context
The machine in the lobby dispenses hot and cold drinks all day.
Only a qualified pharmacist can dispense this kind of medicine.
Let's dispense with the formalities and get straight to business.
Words that go with dispense
verb + preposition
- dispense withstop using something because it is not neededLet's dispense with the formalities and get started.
verb + noun
- dispense advicegive advice, often freelyHe loves to dispense advice, whether anyone asks or not.
- dispense medicinegive out medicine, as a pharmacist doesPharmacists dispense medicine according to the doctor's prescription.
- dispense cashgive out money from a machineThe machine stopped working and could not dispense cash.
- dispense justicedecide cases and punish people in a courtJudges are expected to dispense justice fairly.