despatch

verb

/dɪˈspætʃ/

(British English)

(also dispatch British and North American English)

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they despatch	/dɪˈspætʃ/ /dɪˈspætʃ/
he / she / it despatches	/dɪˈspætʃɪz/ /dɪˈspætʃɪz/
past simple despatched	/dɪˈspætʃt/ /dɪˈspætʃt/
past participle despatched	/dɪˈspætʃt/ /dɪˈspætʃt/
-ing form despatching	/dɪˈspætʃɪŋ/ /dɪˈspætʃɪŋ/

jump to other results

despatch somebody/something (to…) (formal) to send somebody/something somewhere, especially for a special purpose
- Troops have been despatched to the area.
- A courier was despatched to collect the documents.
despatch something (to somebody/something) (formal) to send a letter, package or message somewhere
- Goods are despatched within 24 hours of your order reaching us.
- Weir despatched 50 messages back to base.
despatch somebody/something (formal) to deal or finish with somebody/something quickly and completely
- He despatched the younger player in straight sets.
despatch somebody/something (old-fashioned) to kill a person or an animal

noun

/dɪˈspætʃ/

(British English)

(also dispatch British and North American English)

Idioms

jump to other results

[uncountable] (formal) the act of sending somebody/something somewhere
- More food supplies are ready for immediate despatch.
[countable] a message or report sent quickly from one military officer to another or between government officials
- The latest despatch was held up for three hours at the border.
- He was mentioned in despatches (= for brave acts in war).
[countable] a report sent to a newspaper by a journalist who is working in a foreign country
- despatches from the war zone
Topics TV, radio and newsc2

Idioms

with despatch

(formal) quickly and efficiently
- He carries out his duties with efficiency and despatch.