Administer means to carry out a task or give something to someone. Administer appears in a variety of contexts in the legal field. For example: • A trustee administers the assets of an estate by dispersing, selling, or managing the assets. • Corporate officers adminis…
administer in U.S. law
• A trustee administers the assets of an estate by dispersing, selling, or managing the assets.
• Corporate officers administer the affairs of the company by making transactions, managing employees, hiring lawyers, etc.
• An authorized person administers the oath in court by asking questions.
• Governments administer punishment through sanctions, fees, imprisonment, etc.
• A government agency administers the laws of a specific area of law by creating regulations, monitoring specific industries, establishing license requirements, etc.
• A nurse administers a vaccine by giving a patient a shot.
The practical impact of administer
administer appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
administer — procedural details
In practice, administer is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Cornell LII Wex , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.