verb
Uncommon
dispatch
dih-SPACH
Dispatch (verb) means to send something or someone off promptly for a specific purpose. Example: “The company dispatched a technician to fix the fault the same day.”
verb
1
To send something or someone off promptly for a specific purpose.
"The company dispatched a technician to fix the fault the same day."
"Officers were dispatched to the scene within minutes."
"The manager will dispatch a driver to collect the parcel this afternoon."
2
To deal with a task or piece of business quickly and efficiently.
"She dispatched her morning emails before the meeting even started."
"He dispatched the washing-up in ten minutes and went out to play."
"Let's dispatch these small jobs quickly so we can focus on the big one."
noun
1
A message, report, or shipment sent promptly, often an official or urgent one.
"The general received a dispatch from the front line."
"A news dispatch confirmed the story within the hour."
"The reporter filed a dispatch from the flooded town late last night."
How to use dispatch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo send off quickly, or a quick official message.
Common mistake
The older spelling "despatch" still turns up in British English, especially in older texts, but "dispatch" is now the standard form.
Common pairings
dispatch a team
news dispatch
dispatch rider
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Word forms
- Plural
- dispatches
- Third person singular
- dispatches
- Past tense
- dispatched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company _____ a technician to fix the fault the same day.
Etymology
Borrowed in the 1500s from Spanish despachar or Italian dispacciare, meaning to hurry something along or send it off — likely picked up through diplomatic contacts with Spain and Italy.
Class of 1500
dispatch joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “dispatch” mean?
The word “dispatch” means to send something or someone off promptly for a specific purpose. In plain terms, to send off quickly, or a quick official message.
How do you pronounce “dispatch”?
“Dispatch” is pronounced dih-SPACH (/dɪˈspæt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dispatch” in a sentence?
Here is “dispatch” used in a sentence: “The company dispatched a technician to fix the fault the same day.”
What is another word for “dispatch”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dispatch” include make haste and send.
What part of speech is “dispatch”?
Depending on how it is used, “dispatch” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “dispatch” come from?
The word “dispatch” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Italian. Borrowed in the 1500s from Spanish despachar or Italian dispacciare, meaning to hurry something along or send it off — likely picked up through diplomatic contacts with Spain and Italy.
Is “dispatch” a common word?
“Dispatch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dispatch” have?
“Dispatch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to send something or someone off promptly for a specific purpose.
What is the difference between dispatch and send?
Dispatch implies sending something or someone off promptly and often for a specific, sometimes official or urgent purpose, such as dispatching an ambulance. Send is a general term that does not carry the same sense of urgency or formality.
What is the difference between a dispatch and a message?
A dispatch is specifically a message, report, or shipment sent promptly, often official or urgent in nature, such as a news dispatch from a war zone. A message is a broader term for any piece of communication, regardless of urgency or formality.
How is dispatch used to mean completing a task quickly?
Dispatch can mean to deal with a task or piece of business quickly and efficiently, as in 'she dispatched her emails before lunch.' This usage emphasizes speed and competence rather than physically sending something.
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