- 1[countable, uncountable] special permission, especially from a religious leader, to do something that is not usually allowed or legal She needed a special dispensation to remarry. The sport's ruling body gave him dispensation to compete in national competitions.
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- 2[uncountable] (formal) the act or process of providing something, especially by someone in authority the dispensation of justice
- 3[countable] (technology) a political or religious system that operates in a country at a particular time
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