To dole something out means to distribute it in small, carefully measured amounts, often reluctantly or sparingly. When a teacher doles out candy as rewards, she might give each student just one piece instead of letting them grab handfuls. When parents dole out allowance money, they might hand it over dollar by dollar rather than all at once.

The word suggests a certain stinginess or control in the giving. Compare someone who doles out compliments (rare and grudging) to someone who gives them freely. A camp counselor might dole out supplies from a limited stock, making sure everyone gets only their fair share and no one takes too much.

Dole can also mean government assistance given to people who are unemployed or in financial hardship. In Britain, people sometimes say someone is “on the dole” when they're receiving unemployment benefits. This usage dates back centuries to when charitable organizations would dole out food or money to people in need.