1.nounThe 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.nounA 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.nounThe act of administering, or tendering something to another; dispensation.
"oral administration of insulin"
4.nounManagement.
5.nounAn arrangement whereby an insolvent company can continue trading under supervision.
"The company went into voluntary administration last week."