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dispatch

dih-SPACH /dɪˈspætʃ/

verbnounC1GREGMATTOEFL

professionaltechnical

To send off to a destination or for a purpose; the department responsible for coordinating emergency vehicles.

Implies speed, efficiency, and official coordination.

The story behind the word. Derived from the Old French despeche, which itself comes from Latin pedica (a shackle). Literally, to 'dispatch' meant to free someone's feet from shackles so they could run quickly to deliver an urgent message.

Word relationships

send: Send is a general term, whereas dispatch specifically implies promptness and official coordination.
deploy: Deploy is used for positioning military or strategic resources, while dispatch is used for sending assistance or messages.

recall: Recall means to summon back, whereas dispatch means to send out.

Commonly confused with

dismiss: Dismiss means to send away or let go, while dispatch means to send toward a specific destination for a task.

Word family

dispatcher (noun): A person who coordinates and sends out emergency services.

Collocations

emergency dispatch
dispatch a vehicle
dispatch center

Example sentences

"The roadside assistance company will dispatch a tow truck to your location immediately." Emergency coordination.

Memory hook

Think of a 'patch' of land where you 'dis-' (distribute) emergency trucks quickly. Send with speed.

When not to use

Do not use when simply 'sending' a casual letter or message; it is reserved for official, urgent, or organized sending.

Fun facts

In the 19th century, 'dispatch boxes' were secure leather cases used by British government ministers to carry official state documents.