WordGarden.iodispatch
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪspˈætʃ/
US
- /dɪˈspætʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to send someone or something off to a destination or task
to deal with or finish something quickly
to kill a person or animal
Noun
an official message or report sent from elsewhere
the sending or routing of vehicles, goods, workers, or services
Beyond the definition
Imagine a bustling newsroom—reporters are scrambling, editors are shouting, and information needs to get out fast! That's where "dispatch" comes in. It primarily means to send something (like a message, goods, or even people) to a specific destination, often with urgency. A newspaper might dispatch a reporter to cover a breaking story, or a warehouse might dispatch a fleet of trucks to deliver orders.
But "dispatch" isn't just about sending things out. It also means to deal with a task or a problem quickly and efficiently. Think of a seasoned professional who dispatches their work without wasting a second. It's about taking care of business swiftly and effectively.
As a noun, a "dispatch" is a report or message that gets sent out, especially in news, government, or the military.
The word "dispatch" has a fascinating duality centered on the idea of speed. Primarily, it means to send someone or something to a particular place for a specific purpose. A logistics company dispatches packages across the globe; an army dispatches troops to a strategic point; and a control tower dispatches planes for takeoff. In these contexts, the focus is on the movement from point A to point B: "The Coast Guard dispatched a rescue helicopter to search for the missing vessel."
However, "dispatch" also carries the meaning of completing a task or settling an issue promptly. This usage implies handling a situation decisively. For instance, someone might dispatch a stack of paperwork before lunch, or a hungry traveler might quickly dispatch a large meal. In a more competitive or somber context, it can mean to defeat an opponent or even to put someone to death: "The champion dispatched her challenger in the first round." In all these cases, the common thread is the absence of delay.
The word also works as a noun. A "dispatch" can refer to an official report sent by a government or military official, or a news story sent to a central office by a correspondent. This is why we still hear of journalists filing "dispatches from the front lines."
So, whether you are talking about sending a message to the other side of the world or finishing a chore in record time, "dispatch" speaks to the art of swift action and efficient execution—getting things done and getting them there fast.
Examples
- 1
Shipping
We can dispatch your order today if you pay before noon.
- 2
Emergency services
The hospital dispatched an ambulance to the scene.
- 3
Customer service
She dispatched the last three customer complaints before lunch.
- Patterndispatch + task/problem
deal with it quickly and efficiently
- 4
Legal argument
The lawyer dispatched the other side's main argument in a few calm sentences.
- Patterndispatch an argument
defeat or dismiss it quickly
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Journalism
The reporter filed a dispatch from the border that evening.
- 6
Formal efficiency
The visa request was handled with dispatch.
- Phrasewith dispatch
quickly and without delay
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dispatchnounverb
Forms
- dispatchedpast tenseverbnoun
- dispatchespluralnounverb
- dispatching-ing formverbnoun