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⇱ DISPATCH Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com


dispatch

American  
[dih-spach] / dɪˈspætʃ /
Or despatch

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:
    celerity, alacrity, haste, rapidity
  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.

idioms

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

dispatch British  
/ dɪˈspætʃ /

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

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.