dispatch

or des·patch

[ dih-spach ]
See synonyms for dispatch on Thesaurus.com
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.

  1. to put to death; kill: The spy was promptly dispatched.

  2. 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.

  1. prompt or speedy transaction, as of business.

  2. expeditious performance; promptness or speed: Proceed with all possible dispatch.

  3. Commerce.

    • a method of effecting a speedy delivery of goods, money, etc.

    • a conveyance or organization for the expeditious transmission of goods, money, etc.

  4. a written message sent with speed.

  5. an official communication sent by special messenger.

  6. 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 about dispatch

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

Origin of dispatch

1
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; see impeach

Other words for dispatch

Other words from dispatch

  • out·dis·patch, verb (used with object)
  • pre·dis·patch, noun, verb (used with object)
  • re·dis·patch, verb (used with object)
  • self-dis·patch, noun
  • un·dis·patched, adjective
  • un·dis·patch·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for dispatch

dispatch

despatch

/ (dɪˈspætʃ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to send off promptly, as to a destination or to perform a task

  2. to discharge or complete (a task, duty, etc) promptly

  1. informal to eat up quickly

  2. to murder or execute

noun
  1. the act of sending off a letter, messenger, etc

  2. prompt action or speed (often in the phrase with dispatch)

  1. an official communication or report, sent in haste

  2. journalism a report sent to a newspaper, etc, by a correspondent

  3. murder or execution

Origin of dispatch

1
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

Derived forms of dispatch

  • dispatcher, noun

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