From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdispensedi‧spense /dɪˈspens/ ●○○ verb [transitive] formal 1 GIVEto give something to people, especially in fixed amounts SYN give outdispense something to somebody Villagers dispensed tea to visitors. a machine for dispensing cash2 SCLto officially provide something for peopledispense justice (=decide whether or not someone is guilty of a crime and what punishment they should receive)3 MDto officially prepare and give medicines to people → dispense with something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
dispense• The escorts handle all logistic details and also dispense advice on matters of protocol and decorum.• More than 100 writers came to hear Wentworth dispense advice.• Generic substitution enables the same drug to be dispensed by the chemist, albeit under a different band name.• The exam measures knowledge and competence to operate standard ophthalmic equipment and fit, adjust and dispense eyeglasses.• This done by placing a 50 pence piece in a ticket dispensing machine.• The Reed County Clinic dispenses medication and makes referrals.• Private industry uses them to dispense nutrition information.• Selective assessment can not be dispensed with while there is a shortage of resources to meet individual needs.dispense something to somebody• Volunteers helped dispense food and blankets to people involved in the accident.dispense justice• Who dispenses justice round here? 18.• A new international law made it a duty to dispense justice to victims, whatever reason of state might be invoked.From Longman Business Dictionarydispensedi‧spense /dɪˈspens/ verb [intransitive, transitive]1if a machine dispenses something, it gives it to someone who puts in money, a special number etcFour machines dispense a wide range of drinks and snacks.a cash dispensing machine —dispenser noun [countable]There’s a cash dispenser outside the bank.2to sell or give medicines to peopleA pharmacist will never dispense a prescription unless he or she is sure it is correct.→ See Verb tableOrigin dispense (1300-1400) Latin dispensare “to share out”, from pendere “to weigh” 