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dispatch

dih-SPATCH /dɪˈspætʃ/

verbnounB2TOEFLIELTS

formaltechnical

To send off promptly to a destination for a specific purpose; or the act of sending units to an emergency.

Implies speed, official authority, and targeted action rather than simple sending.

The story behind the word. Dispatch entered English in the 16th century via Italian dispacciare and Spanish despachar, combining dis- (reversal) with a Latin base related to fetters (pedica). Literally, to dispatch something meant to un-fetter or free it so it could move with utmost speed.

Word relationships

deploy: Deploy emphasizes strategic positioning, whereas dispatch focuses on immediate sending.
send: Send is general; dispatch implies haste and official purpose.

recall: Recall means ordering units back rather than sending them out.
retain: Retain means keeping resources where they are.

Commonly confused with

despatch: Despatch is an archaic British spelling variant of dispatch.

Word family

dispatcher (noun): A person responsible for sending out emergency vehicles or messages.
dispatched (adjective): Sent off to a designated destination.

Collocations

dispatch units
computer-aided dispatch
dispatch center
emergency dispatch

Idioms & expressions

with speed and dispatch

Example sentences

"The center received the call at 02:14 and immediately began to dispatch paramedics to the scene." Emergency dispatch operation
"Authorities said they would dispatch extra patrols to affected neighborhoods during the flood." News report on emergency services

Memory hook

DIS-PATCH: DIS-attach the patch from the station and send it running instantly. Un-fetter and send fast.

When not to use

Do not use for casual mailing like sending a birthday card to a relative.

Fun facts

Early newspaper reports sent by telegraph were called 'dispatches', a term still used by news agencies today.