To dispense means to give out or distribute something. A school nurse can dispense students' medication and we all can dispense advice. The word dispense comes from the Old French word dispenser, meaning "give out." You can dispense anything from hand sanitizer to dating advice.

Whats the difference between dispense and distribute?

If you are giving out to people, distribute means to give out to many people, but dispense can be giving out only one, or one at a time. For example: A ketchup dispenser will only fill one cup of ketchup at a time, but a ketchup distributor would put ketchup everywhere!

What is the word meaning of dispense?

1a : to divide and share out according to a plan : to deal out in portions dispense food among the needy. b : administer dispense justice. 2 : to exempt from a law or release from a vow, oath, or impediment : to give dispensation (see dispensation sense 2a) to : exempt may dispense students from this requirement.