The difference between Apportion and Dispense

When used as verbs, apportion means to divide and distribute portions of a whole, whereas dispense means to issue, distribute, or give out.


Dispense is also noun with the meaning: cost, expenditure.

check bellow for the other definitions of Apportion and Dispense

  1. Apportion as a verb (transitive):

    To divide and distribute portions of a whole.

    Examples:

    "The controlling party had apportioned the voting districts such that their party would be favored in the next election."

  2. Apportion as a verb (transitive):

    Specifically, to do so in a fair and equitable manner; to allocate proportionally.

    Examples:

    "The children were required to dump all of their Halloween candy on the table so that their parents could apportion it among them."

  1. Dispense as a verb:

    To issue, distribute, or give out.

  2. Dispense as a verb:

    To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to manage; to direct.

    Examples:

    "to dispense justice"

  3. Dispense as a verb:

    To supply or make up a medicine or prescription.

    Examples:

    "The pharmacist dispensed my tablets."

    "An optician can dispense spectacles."

  4. Dispense as a verb (obsolete):

    To give a dispensation to (someone); to excuse.

  5. Dispense as a verb (intransitive, obsolete):

    To compensate; to make up; to make amends.

  1. Dispense as a noun (obsolete):

    Cost, expenditure.

  2. Dispense as a noun (obsolete):

    The act of dispensing, dispensation.