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)
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Archaic. to hasten; be quick.
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
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mentioned in dispatches, honored by being named in official military reports for special bravery or acts of service.
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 youngsters said they could dispatch a plane from the presidential hangar at the Caracas airport.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026
This is an edition of the WSJ China newsletter, a weekly dispatch of exclusive insights on the contest between the U.S. and China, brought to you by the WSJ’s top China correspondent.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron has also said Paris will dispatch additional air defence units to Cyprus.
From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026
Spain announced Thursday it would dispatch its advanced frigate Cristóbal Colón to Cyprus, after initially maintaining a “no to war” stance.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026
And a curious dispatch came in from the San Francisco World’s Fair.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
