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
also
: handout sense 1
c
: something portioned out bit by bit
2
archaic
: one's allotted share, portion, or destiny
doled; doling
: to give or distribute as a charity
—usually used with out
dole out food to needy families
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
Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024
By placing them on the foreign-aid dole, U.S. officials know that foreign officials will do their bidding when called upon to do so.
—Jacob Hornberger, Orange County Register, 12 May 2024
Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Public health experts are blasting a U.S. State Department plan to burn nearly $10 million worth of contraceptives intended for women in poor nations rather than dole them out or sell to someone who will.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dole
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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
By placing them on the foreign-aid dole, U.S. officials know that foreign officials will do their bidding when called upon to do so.
—Jacob Hornberger, Orange County Register, 12 May 2024
Verb
Whether doling flavors that are old-school or new-fangled, each shop makes its ice cream fresh daily at each store, as has been done since its founding.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Public health experts are blasting a U.S. State Department plan to burn nearly $10 million worth of contraceptives intended for women in poor nations rather than dole them out or sell to someone who will.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dole
Cite this Entry
“Dole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dole. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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Biographical Definition
Dole
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Sanford Ballard 1844–1926 American jurist; president (1894–1900) and governor (1900–03) of Hawaii
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