noun

1. The act of administering; government of public affairs; the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting affairs; the conducting of any office or employment; direction.

2. A body that administers; the executive part of government; the persons collectively who are entrusted with the execution of laws and the superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry, alone, as in Great Britain.

   "Successive US administrations have had similar Middle East policies."

3. The act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation.

   "oral administration of insulin"

4. Management.

5. An arrangement whereby an insolvent company can continue trading under supervision.

   "The company went into voluntary administration last week."