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dispatch

dih-SPATCH /dɪˈspætʃ/

verbnounB2IELTSTOEFLGRE

generalcommercial

To send off to a destination for a purpose; or the system/department responsible for sending out trucks, drivers, or goods.

Implies official, prompt, and deliberate sending of personnel or transport units.

The story behind the word. First recorded in English in the 1500s from Spanish and Italian military contexts. It combined 'dis-' (away/un-) with the root for obstacle, meaning literally to clear obstacles so someone can travel quickly.

Word relationships

send: Send is a general everyday verb, whereas dispatch implies speed, purpose, and formal routing.
route: Route focuses on choosing the path, while dispatch focuses on authorizing and sending out.

retain: To hold back or keep rather than sending off.
recall: To order back a dispatched vehicle or driver.

Commonly confused with

despatch: An older British English spelling variation of dispatch, identical in meaning.

Word family

dispatcher (noun): A person responsible for directing and sending out transport units or emergency crews.
dispatched (adjective): Sent out to perform a task or destination.

Collocations

dispatch driver
ready for dispatch
dispatch center
prompt dispatch

Idioms & expressions

with speed and dispatch

Example sentences

"The centralized control center will dispatch five heavy trucks to haul emergency relief goods overnight." Fleet routing center
"Upon notification of the mechanical breakdown, dispatch assigned a relief driver immediately." Incident management

Memory hook

DISPATCH = DIS-PATCH: Send out a truck quickly before the road weather turns BAD-PATCH. Send off with speed and duty.

When not to use

Avoid using 'dispatch' for casual personal errands like mailing a postcard to a friend.

Fun facts

In Victorian news reporting, special emergency press cables sent from warzones were famously termed 'dispatches'.