To dispense means to give out or distribute something in a controlled or measured way. A school nurse dispenses medicine to students who need it during the day. A vending machine dispenses snacks when you insert money and press the right buttons. A soap dispenser in a bathroom releases just the right amount of soap with each pump.

The word suggests careful distribution rather than just handing things out randomly. A teacher might dispense advice to students who ask for help. A pharmacist dispenses prescription medications, making sure each patient gets exactly what their doctor ordered. A library dispenses books to borrowers, keeping track of who has what.

You'll also hear the phrase dispense with, which means to get rid of something or decide you don't need it anymore. If a coach decides the team can dispense with warm-up exercises one day, they're skipping them. When someone dispenses with formalities, they're setting aside polite customs to get straight to the point.

Whether it's a machine dispensing tickets at a movie theater or a judge dispensing justice in a courtroom, the idea is the same: giving out the right amount to the right people at the right time.