1. official permissions to be exempted from a rule or usual requirement
Usage: formal; often religious or legal contexts
2. the action of giving out or distributing something
Usage: formal
3. a religious system or a period of time under divine arrangement
Usage: theological

Examples

• The church granted special dispensations for the wedding ceremony.
• Medical dispensations allowed some students to miss the physical fitness test.
• The pope issued dispensations permitting priests to marry in certain circumstances.
• The dispensation of food supplies was carefully organized during the emergency.
• The charity oversaw the dispensation of aid to flood victims.
• Christians believe in different dispensations throughout biblical history.
• The old dispensation gave way to new religious practices.