ədˌminəˈstrāshən also (ˌ)adˌm- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English administracioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French administration, from Latin administration-, administratio, from administratus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : an act of administering:
a. : a furnishing or tendering according to a prescribed rite or formula
administration of the sacraments
administration of an oath
b. : a meting out
administration of justice
administration of discipline
c. : application , dosage
administration of a medicine
administration of sensory stimuli
2.
a. archaic : performance of a service in any capacity
b. : performance of executive duties : management , direction , superintendence
achieved a more businesslike administration
engage in the administration of public affairs
administration of a relief fund
— compare logistics
3.
a. : the management and disposal under legal authority of the estate of an intestate or of a testator having no competent executor
b. : the management of an estate of a deceased person by an executor
c. : the management of an estate (as of an infant) by a trustee or guardian legally appointed to take charge of it
4.
a. : the total activity of a state in the exercise of its political powers including the action of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments : government 2
b. : the management of public affairs as distinguished from the executive or political function of policy making
5.
a. : the principles, practices, and rationalized techniques employed in achieving the objectives or aims of an organization
b. : administrative management : the phase of business management that plans, organizes, and controls the activities of an organization for the accomplishment of its objectives in the long run often as distinguished from operative management
6.
a. : a body of persons who are responsible for managing a business or institution
b. usually capitalized : a group constituting the political executive in a presidential system
even a supposedly friendly Congress may flout the Administration's program — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
— compare government 8c (1)
c. : a governmental agency or board
7. : the term during which an administrative officer or body holds office ; specifically : the term or terms of office of a president of the United States
• ad·min·is·tra·tion·al əd|minə|strāshən ə l, -shnəl also |adˌm- adjective