dole

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a(1)
: a grant of government funds to the unemployed
had been on the dole for a year
(2)
: a giving or distribution of food, money, or clothing to the needy
b
: something distributed at intervals to the needy
c
: something portioned out bit by bit
2
archaic : one's allotted share, portion, or destiny

dole

2 of 3

verb

doled; doling

transitive verb

: to give or distribute as a charity
usually used with out
dole out food to needy families

dole

3 of 3

noun (2)

archaic

Examples of dole in a Sentence

Noun (1) a millionaire who was known for his annual Christmas dole to needy-looking strangers he met on the street
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Residents also grew frustrated, as migrants reluctantly snared in endless court proceedings appeared to be gaming the system and living off the taxpayers’ dole. Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024 The result has been sporadic doles of grudging emergency funding to meet periodic crises, leaving little certainty about the future. Simon J. Potter, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2023
Verb
What the Americans are planning on doing, in essence, is pledging a year’s worth of aid all at once—instead of doling it out in small batches every few weeks. David Axe, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 Local cultural agency Gertie rounded up about $400,000 in foundation funding and then doled it out to some very cool projects. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dole 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, from Old English dāl portion — more at deal entry 3

Noun (2)

Middle English dol, from Anglo-French duel, dol, from Late Latin dolus, alteration of Latin dolor — see dolor

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dole was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near dole

Cite this Entry

“Dole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dole. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dole

1 of 2 noun
1
: a giving out of food, money, or clothing to the needy
2
: something given out as charity

dole

2 of 2 verb
doled; doling
1
: to give out as charity
2
: to give or deliver in small portions : parcel
usually used with out

Biographical Definition

Dole 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Bob 1923–2021 Robert Joseph Dole American politician

Dole

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Sanford Ballard 1844–1926 American jurist; president (1894–1900) and governor (1900–03) of Hawaii

More from Merriam-Webster on dole

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