dispatch
gb/dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/ us/dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/
B2
English
~ 9000
kiküld, kirendel, riaszt, elintéz, elbánik, letud, végez, elaltat, jelentés, tudósítás, kiküldés, feladás, kiszállítás, gyorsaság, továbbít, diszpécsel, irányít
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to dispatch [someone/something] to [a place]
The company dispatched a technician to fix the broken elevator.
A cég kiküldött egy szerelőt, hogy megjavítsa az elromlott liftet.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene of the accident within minutes.
Perceken belül mentőt riasztottak a baleset helyszínére.
The warehouse dispatches hundreds of packages every day.
Several journalists were dispatched across the country to cover the election.
Learner examples
The manager dispatched two workers to the new store.
A vezető két dolgozót küldött ki az új üzletbe.
Police dispatched a car to the house after the call.
A hívás után a rendőrség kiküldött egy járőrkocsit a házhoz.
The factory dispatches goods to many cities every week.
A doctor was dispatched to the small village to help sick people.
Common mistake:
Learners often think 'dispatch' can be used in all the same places as 'send'. However, 'dispatch' is usually used when the sending is official, organized, or urgent (like ambulances, technicians, troops, or large orders), not for everyday things like 'dispatch me an email' (use 'send me an email'). Some learners are also confused by the British spelling 'despatch', which is much less common in modern English.
Meaning
send someone or something for a task
Collocations
dispatch an ambulance
|dispatch a technician
|dispatch a team
|dispatch troops
|dispatch goods
|dispatch a reporter
Synonyms
send (More general and common; does not always suggest speed or official purpose.)
|
deploy (Often used for military or technical contexts; suggests planned placement rather than simple sending.)
|
ship (Used mainly for sending goods, especially by post, truck, or ship, not usually people.)
Antonyms
recall (Means to call someone or something back instead of sending them out.)
|
keep (Means not to send something away but to retain it where it is.)
Themes
business
|logistics
|emergency
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
To send a person or thing to a place to do a job, often quickly and in an official way.
To send someone or something to a particular place for a specific purpose, especially quickly or in an official way.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
to dispatch [a task/problem/opponent]
She dispatched the paperwork in under an hour and left the office early.
Kevesebb mint egy óra alatt elintézte a papírmunkát, és korán elment az irodából.
Our team dispatched their opponents in a 5–0 victory.
Csapatunk 5–0-ra győzve könnyedén elbánt az ellenfelével.
The committee quickly dispatched the remaining items on the agenda.
The champion calmly dispatched his younger rival in straight sets.
Learner examples
She dispatched all her small jobs before lunch.
Ebéd előtt minden kisebb munkáját elintézte.
Our team dispatched the other team very easily.
A csapatunk nagyon könnyedén elbánt a másik csapattal.
He dispatched the problem in a few minutes and moved on to the next one.
The manager dispatched the last tasks before the weekend.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with simply 'sending' something. In sentences like 'She dispatched the paperwork', the focus is on finishing or dealing with the paperwork quickly, not mailing it. Context often shows the meaning: if the object is a task, duty, or opponent, this sense is more likely.
Meaning
deal with or defeat quickly
Collocations
dispatch a task
|dispatch the paperwork
|dispatch an opponent
|dispatch the remaining items
|easily dispatch
|quickly dispatch
Synonyms
handle (More general; does not necessarily suggest speed or ease.)
|
take care of (Informal phrasal verb meaning to deal with something, but not as strong about speed or skill.)
|
defeat (Focuses only on winning against an opponent, without the extra idea of ease or speed.)
Antonyms
delay (Means to make something take longer instead of finishing it quickly.)
|
prolong (Means to extend the time something takes, the opposite of dealing with it quickly.)
Themes
work
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To finish a job or defeat a person quickly and with little trouble.
To handle, complete, or defeat something or someone quickly and efficiently so that it is no longer a concern.
VERB
C1
3
Usage pattern:
to dispatch [someone/something]
The injured horse was humanely dispatched by the vet.
A sérült lovat az állatorvos kíméletesen elaltatta.
The assassin dispatched his target with a single shot.
Az orgyilkos egyetlen lövéssel végzett a célpontjával.
The lion swiftly dispatched its prey.
In the story, the hero dispatches the monster in the final battle.
Learner examples
The soldier dispatched the enemy with one shot.
A katona egy lövéssel végzett az ellenséggel.
The vet dispatched the very sick animal.
Az állatorvos elaltatta a nagyon beteg állatot.
The snake dispatched the mouse quickly.
In the film, the hero dispatches the bad man at the end.
Common mistake:
Some learners assume this sense is very common in everyday speech. In modern English, people usually say 'kill' in normal conversation. 'Dispatch' in this meaning is more often found in writing, news reports, or storytelling, and can sound formal or literary.
Meaning
kill quickly and efficiently
Collocations
dispatch an enemy
|dispatch the victim
|dispatch the animal
|dispatch his target
|humanely dispatch
|swiftly dispatch
Synonyms
kill (The most common general word; does not suggest speed or efficiency specifically.)
|
slay (Often literary or dramatic; can sound more violent or heroic.)
|
put down (A gentler expression commonly used for killing animals, especially to stop suffering.)
Antonyms
spare (Means to choose not to kill someone or something.)
|
save (Means to keep someone or something alive or safe from being killed.)
Themes
violence
|animals
|law
Definition
To kill a person or animal quickly and on purpose, often in a clean or efficient way.
To kill a person or animal quickly, often in a controlled, deliberate, or efficient way.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
a dispatch from [place/person]
We received a dispatch from our reporter in Gaza late last night.
Késő tegnap este jelentést kaptunk a gázai tudósítónktól.
In his latest dispatch, the foreign correspondent described the flooding in detail.
Legutóbbi tudósításában a külföldi tudósító részletesen beszámolt az áradásról.
Leaked diplomatic dispatches revealed tense negotiations behind the scenes.
The general read the dispatch aloud to the troops gathered in the tent.
Learner examples
The TV station read a dispatch from its reporter in Paris.
A tévéadó felolvasott egy jelentést, amelyet párizsi tudósítója küldött.
In his dispatch, the writer talked about life in the war zone.
Tudósításában az író a háborús övezetben zajló életről írt.
The newspaper printed a dispatch from Africa on the front page.
Secret dispatches showed what the leaders really said in the meetings.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this noun with the verb and say things like 'I will write a dispatch to my friend' in casual contexts. For normal personal messages, 'letter', 'email', or 'message' is better. 'Dispatch' is usually formal and used in news, government, or military settings.
Meaning
official report or message sent
Collocations
news dispatch
|foreign dispatch
|military dispatch
|diplomatic dispatch
|latest dispatch
|a dispatch from [place]
Synonyms
report (More general and common; does not always suggest being sent from a distance.)
|
telegram (Older term for a brief written message sent long distance; more specific and dated.)
|
cable (Older/formal term for a telegraphed or official message, especially in diplomacy.)
Antonyms
silence (Represents the absence of any message or report being sent.)
Themes
media
|politics
|military
|communication
Definition
A written or spoken report that someone sends from another place, often for news, government, or the army.
An official or formal report or message that is sent from one place to another, especially by a journalist, diplomat, or military officer.
NOUN
C1
5
Usage pattern:
the dispatch of [people/things]
The dispatch of extra nurses helped relieve the pressure on the hospital.
További ápolók kiküldése segített enyhíteni a kórházra nehezedő nyomást.
The goods are ready for dispatch tomorrow morning.
Az áruk készen állnak a holnap reggeli kiszállításra.
Rapid dispatch of supplies is critical after a natural disaster.
Learner examples
The dispatch of food was slow after the storm.
A vihar után lassan ment az élelmiszer kiszállítása.
The office plans the dispatch of all orders every day.
Az iroda mindennap megtervezi az összes rendelés kiszállítását.
The dispatch of soldiers took three days.
Our company promises dispatch of all items within 24 hours.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat 'dispatch' here as a verb and say 'the company dispatch all orders'. For the noun sense, it should be 'the dispatch of all orders' or 'orders are dispatched'.
Meaning
act of sending people or things
Collocations
dispatch of goods
|dispatch of troops
|ready for dispatch
|awaiting dispatch
|rapid dispatch
|order dispatch
Synonyms
shipment (Usually refers specifically to goods being sent, especially in business or transport.)
|
deployment (Often used for sending people, especially soldiers or staff, to a place to work.)
Antonyms
retention (Means keeping people or things instead of sending them out.)
Themes
business
|logistics
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
The act of sending people or things to a place to do a job.
The action of sending people or things to a particular place for a particular purpose.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
6
gyorsaság
A2
Usage pattern:
with dispatch
The matter was handled with dispatch.
Az ügyet gyorsan és hatékonyan intézték el.
She completed the assignment with impressive dispatch.
Lenyűgöző gyorsasággal fejezte be a feladatot.
In an emergency, decisions must be made with dispatch.
Learner examples
The team finished the work with dispatch.
A csapat gyorsan és hatékonyan befejezte a munkát.
He answered the request with dispatch.
Gyorsan válaszolt a kérésre.
The company wants staff to act with dispatch.
The problem was solved with speed and dispatch.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that this sense is formal and mostly used in the fixed phrase 'with dispatch'. Using it in casual speech can sound strange or old-fashioned.
Meaning
speed and efficiency in doing something
Collocations
with dispatch
|handle with dispatch
|act with dispatch
|proceed with dispatch
Synonyms
promptness (Focuses on being quick; does not always include the idea of efficiency.)
|
efficiency (Focuses on doing something well with little waste; not always about speed.)
Antonyms
slowness (The opposite quality: doing things slowly instead of quickly.)
|
delay (Refers to making something take longer, the opposite of quick completion.)
Themes
work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The quality of doing something fast and in an efficient way.
Speed and efficiency in dealing with something or completing a task.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
7
Usage pattern:
to dispatch [a request/event/message] to [a handler/service]
The server dispatches incoming requests to different worker processes.
A szerver a bejövő kéréseket különböző feldolgozó folyamatokhoz továbbítja.
This function dispatches events based on their type.
Ez a függvény típusuk alapján a megfelelő kezelőhöz továbbítja az eseményeket.
The router dispatches messages to the correct queue for processing.
Learner examples
The program dispatches each request to a worker.
A program minden kérést egy feldolgozóhoz továbbít.
This part of the system dispatches events to the right place.
A rendszernek ez a része a megfelelő helyre továbbítja az eseményeket.
The server dispatches messages to another service.
Our code dispatches jobs to different machines.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this technical sense is the same as just sending data across the internet. In computing, 'dispatch' usually means sending something to the correct internal handler or component, not just sending it anywhere.
Meaning
route a request or event for processing
Collocations
dispatch an event
|dispatch a request
|dispatch a message
|dispatch a job
|dispatch to a handler
|event dispatch
Synonyms
route (Common technical term for sending data or traffic to a destination within a system.)
|
forward (Often used for passing messages or requests on to another part or service.)
Antonyms
block (In technical contexts, means to stop a request or event from reaching its handler.)
Themes
technology
|computing
Definition
In computer or technical systems, to send an event or request to the right part of the system so it can be handled.
In computing or technical systems, to send a message, event, or request to the appropriate component, handler, or service so it can be processed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dispatch
IPA
GB/dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/
US/dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
dis - patch (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (patch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dispatch
- Plural: dispatch, dispatches
Verb
- Base: dispatch
- 3rd Person Singular: dispatches
- Present Participle: dispatching
- Past: dispatched
Word family
Forms
dispatches
noun
dispatching
verb
dispatched
verb
Core family
dispatcher
noun
Related words
despatch
verb
Expressions
dispatch center
1/dɪspˈæt͡ʃ sˈɛntɚ/
fixed phrase
office that sends vehicles or workers
A room or office where people send cars, trucks, or workers to the places where they are needed.
Examples
- All taxis are sent out from the main dispatch center.
- Calls are routed through the dispatch center before a truck is sent.
emergency dispatch
1/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒənsi dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
technical
system that sends emergency services
The office or system that sends police, fire, or medical teams to people who need help.
Examples
- She works in emergency dispatch taking 911 calls.
- The city upgraded its emergency dispatch system last year.
military dispatch
1/mˈɪlɪtˌɛɹi dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
official military message
An official message that people in the army send from one place to another.
Examples
- According to the latest military dispatch, the troops will arrive tomorrow.
- Old military dispatches from the front were displayed in the museum.
news dispatch
1/njˈuz dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
news report sent from elsewhere
A news report that a reporter sends from another place, often another country.
Examples
- The network aired a news dispatch from its correspondent in Kyiv.
- Her news dispatch from the refugee camp won several awards.
with dispatch
1/wˈɪθ dɪspˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
formal
quickly and efficiently
To do something fast and in an efficient way.
Examples
- The emergency team responded with dispatch.
- Please handle any customer complaints with dispatch.