dispenser

noun

dis·​pens·​er di-ˈspen(t)-sər 

: one that dispenses: such as

a

: a container that extrudes, sprays, or feeds out in convenient units

a soap dispenser

b

: a usually mechanical device for vending merchandise

Examples of dispenser in a Sentence

hospitals and other health-care dispensers

Recent Examples on the Web

IJooz, the company operating the juice vending machine, filed a police report, and sanitized the dispenser while replacing all 500 straws in the machine. —ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026

Maximilien, a French national, allegedly uploaded a clip of himself licking a straw from an iJooz vending machine before putting it back in the dispenser. —Adam England, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

For white or color-fast sheets, add one-half cup of chlorine bleach to a standard washer or one-fourth cup to a high-efficiency washer in the bleach dispenser in addition to a high-quality laundry detergent. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026

Health inspectors found an organic build-up on a nozzle of the soda dispenser gun at the bar. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "person in charge of distribution or administration, steward," borrowed from Anglo-French despenser, from despenser "to dispense, administer" + -er -er entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dispenser

• cash dispenser

Rhymes for dispenser

• condenser
• extensor
• biosensor
• censer
• censor
• denser
• fencer
• sensor
• tensor

Kids Definition

dispenser

noun

dis·​pens·​er dis-ˈpen(t)-sər 

: one that dispenses

especially : a container that gives out something a little at a time

a soap dispenser