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View synonyms for

dispatch

or ·貹ٳ

[ dih-spach ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to send off or away with speed, as a messenger, telegram, body of troops, etc.
  2. to dismiss (a person), as after an audience.
  3. to put to death; kill:

    The spy was promptly dispatched.

  4. to transact or dispose of (a matter) promptly or speedily.


verb (used without object)

  1. Archaic. to hasten; be quick.

noun

  1. the sending off of a messenger, letter, etc., to a destination.
  2. the act of putting to death; killing; execution.
  3. prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.
  4. expeditious performance; promptness or speed:

    Proceed with all possible dispatch.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  5. Commerce.
    1. a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.
    2. a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.
  6. a written message sent with speed.
  7. an official communication sent by special messenger.
  8. 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.

dispatch

/ ɪˈæʃ /

verb

  1. to send off promptly, as to a destination or to perform a task
  2. to discharge or complete (a task, duty, etc) promptly
  3. informal.
    to eat up quickly
  4. to murder or execute
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act of sending off a letter, messenger, etc
  2. prompt action or speed (often in the phrase with dispatch )
  3. an official communication or report, sent in haste
  4. journalism a report sent to a newspaper, etc, by a correspondent
  5. murder or execution
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • 徱ˈ貹ٳ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • dzܳd·貹ٳ verb (used with object)
  • d·貹ٳ noun verb (used with object)
  • d·貹ٳ verb (used with object)
  • -徱·貹ٳ noun
  • ܲd·貹ٳ adjective
  • ܲd·貹ٳiԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dispatch1

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 -徱 to shackle; impeach
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dispatch1

C16: from Italian dispacciare, from Provençal despachar, from Old French despeechier to set free, from des- dis- 1+ -peechier, ultimately from Latin pedica a fetter
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. mentioned in dispatches, British. honored by being named in official military reports for special bravery or acts of service.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

An investigator was dispatched to Carmel, trailed by newspaper reporters whose race for scoops effectively helped him gather evidence.

From

In the latest incident, a group of teenage boys rode to the Ralphs market on South Vermont Avenue near USC around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to witnesses and emergency radio dispatch reports.

From

The following day, Evans’ team was dispatched to the creek and confirmed the discovery.

From

The deaths were reportedly the first since thousands more active-duty troops were dispatched to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of President Trump’s effort to clamp down on illegal immigration.

From

Our station and on board teams carried out the necessary checks before the train was safely dispatched.

From

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Related Words

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.

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