Send vs. Dispatch — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 14, 2024
Send focuses on the act of causing something to go or be taken somewhere, while dispatch implies sending with a specific purpose or urgency, often related to official business or shipments.
Difference Between Send and Dispatch
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Send involves the act of causing something or someone to go to a particular destination, primarily emphasizing the action of transferring or conveying. While dispatch carries a similar core meaning, it often implies sending with a specific purpose or urgency, and is frequently used in contexts such as sending out official messages, documents, or goods, particularly in commercial or formal settings.
When considering personal communication, "send" is more commonly used, as in sending a letter or an email. This term is versatile, covering a wide range of contexts from casual to formal. Dispatch, on the other hand, is often associated with efficiency and speed, particularly in business, military, or emergency services contexts, where it might refer to sending out vehicles or goods promptly.
In logistics and transportation, "dispatch" often refers to the process of sending out vehicles, goods, or personnel, typically with a focus on organization and promptness. This contrasts with "send," which can be used more broadly and without the same connotations of urgency or specific planning.
The choice between "send" and "dispatch" can also be influenced by regional preferences. In some English-speaking regions, "dispatch" might be more commonly associated with specific industries or contexts, such as emergency services, whereas "send" is universally understood and applied across various situations.
In digital communications, "send" is the prevailing term, used for emails, texts, and other forms of electronic messaging. "Dispatch" is less commonly used in this context, retaining its association with physical dispatches, such as parcels or official documents.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To cause to go or be taken to a particular destination.
To send off to a destination or for a purpose, especially quickly or officially.
Context
Broad, including personal, digital, and physical items.
Often formal or business-related, with a sense of urgency.
Connotation
Neutral, can be casual or formal.
Implies efficiency, organization, and purpose.
Common Usage
Personal communications, digital messages.
Business, logistics, emergency services.
Regional Variance
Universally used.
Usage may vary, more common in specific industries.
Compare with Definitions
Send
To cause something or someone to go to a particular place.
I'll send the package tomorrow.
Dispatch
To send off to a destination or for a purpose with speed.
The company dispatched the order immediately.
Send
To transmit a message or information.
He sent an email explaining the situation.
Dispatch
To send out vehicles, goods, or personnel as part of organized effort.
Emergency services dispatched several units to the scene.
Send
To dispatch someone to do an errand or carry a message.
She sent her assistant to the meeting.
Dispatch
To deal with a task or opponent quickly and efficiently.
She dispatched the paperwork in no time.
Send
To cause to be in a particular state or condition.
The movie sent me into tears.
Dispatch
To kill with quick efficiency (less common usage).
The spy novel described how the agent dispatched his enemies.
Send
To emit, release, or radiate.
The flowers sent a lovely fragrance.
Dispatch
To send a message or communication, especially officially.
The ambassador dispatched a crucial report to her government.
Send
To cause to be conveyed by an intermediary to a destination
Send goods by plane.
Dispatch
Send off to a destination or for a purpose
The government dispatched 150 police to restore order
He dispatched messages back to base
Send
To dispatch, as by a communications medium
Send a message by radio.
Dispatch
Deal with (a task or opponent) quickly and efficiently
The Welsh team were dispatched comfortably by the opposition
Send
To direct to go on a mission
Sent troops into the Middle East.
Dispatch
The sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose
A resolution authorizing the dispatch of a peacekeeping force
Send
To require or enable to go
Sent her children to college.
Dispatch
An official report on state or military affairs
In his battle dispatch he described the gunner's bravery
Send
To direct (a person) to a source of information; refer
Sent the student to the reference section of the library.
Dispatch
To relegate to a specific destination or send on specific business.
Send
To give off (heat, for example); emit or issue
A stove that sends forth great warmth.
Dispatch
A written message, particularly an official communication, sent with speed.
Send
To utter or otherwise emit (sound)
Sent forth a cry of pain.
Dispatch
An important message sent by a diplomat or an officer in the armed forces.
Send
To hit so as to direct or propel with force; drive
The batter sent the ball to left field. The slap on my back sent me staggering.
Dispatch
A news item sent to a news organization, as by a correspondent.
Send
To cause to take place or occur
We will meet whatever vicissitudes fate may send.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (a shipment) with promptness.
Send
To put or drive into a given state or condition
Horrifying news that sent them into a panic.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (a person) away hastily.
Send
(Slang) To transport with delight; carry away
That music really sends me.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (an important official message) promptly, by means of a diplomat or military officer.
Send
To dispatch someone to do an errand or convey a message
Let's send out for hamburgers.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (a journalist) to a place in order to report.
Send
To dispatch a request or order, especially by mail
Send away for a new catalogue.
Dispatch
(transitive) To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform.
Send
To transmit a message or messages
The radio operator was still sending when the ship went down.
Dispatch
(transitive) To rid; to free.
Send
Variant of scend.
Dispatch
(transitive) To destroy (someone or something) quickly and efficiently.
Send
To make something (such as an object or message) go from one place to another (or to someone).
Every day at two o'clock, he sends his secretary out to buy him a coffee.
She sends me a letter every month.
Dispatch
To pass on for further processing, especially via a dispatch table (often with to).
Send
To excite, delight, or thrill (someone).
Dispatch
To hurry.
Send
(transitive) To bring to a certain condition.
Dispatch
To deprive.
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message or do an errand.
Seeing how ill she was, we sent for a doctor at once.
Dispatch
A message sent quickly, as a shipment, a prompt settlement of a business, or an important official message sent by a diplomat, government official, military officer, etc.
Send
(transitive) To cause to be or to happen; to bring, bring about; (archaic) to visit: (Referring to blessing or reward) To bestow; to grant. (Referring to curse or punishment) To inflict. Sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
Dispatch
The act of doing something quickly.
We must act with dispatch in this matter.
Send
To pitch.
Dispatch
A mission by an emergency response service, typically involving attending to an emergency in the field.
Send
To make a successful ascent of a sport climbing route.
She finally sent the 12a after hours of failed attempts.
Dispatch
(computing) The passing on of a message for further processing, especially through a dispatch table.
Send
To care.
Dispatch
(obsolete) A dismissal.
Send
(telecommunications) An operation in which data is transmitted.
Dispatch
To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform.
Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch weThe business we have talked of.
[The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work.
Send
An icon (usually on a computer screen and labeled with the word "Send") on which one clicks (with a mouse or its equivalent) or taps to transmit an email or other electronic message.
Good thing I didn't hit send on that resume; I just noticed a bad typo.
Dispatch
To rid; to free.
I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge.
Send
(nautical) scend
Dispatch
To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily.
Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets.
Send
(Scotland) A messenger, especially one sent to fetch the bride.
Dispatch
To send off or away; - particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste.
Even with the speediest expeditionI will dispatch him to the emperor's cou .
Send
A callout or diss usually aimed at a specific person, often in the form of a diss track.
Dispatch
To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business.
They have dispatched with Pompey.
Send
(climbing) A successful ascent of a sport climbing route.
Dispatch
The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important business.
Send
To cause to go in any manner; to dispatch; to commission or direct to go; as, to send a messenger.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.
I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Servants, sent on messages, stay out somewhat longer than the message requires.
Dispatch
Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.
To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts.
Send
To give motion to; to cause to be borne or carried; to procure the going, transmission, or delivery of; as, to send a message.
He . . . sent letters by posts on horseback.
O send out thy light an thy truth; let them lead me.
Dispatch
The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste.
Serious business, craving quick dispatch.
To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space.
Send
To emit; to impel; to cast; to throw; to hurl; as, to send a ball, an arrow, or the like.
Dispatch
A message dispatched or sent with speed; especially, an important official letter sent from one public officer to another; - often used in the plural; as, a messenger has arrived with dispatches for the American minister; naval or military dispatches.
Send
To cause to be or to happen; to bestow; to inflict; to grant; - sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke.
And sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God send your mission may bring back peace.
Dispatch
A message transmitted by telegraph.
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message, or to do an errand.
See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away my head?
Dispatch
An official report (usually sent in haste)
Send
To pitch; as, the ship sends forward so violently as to endanger her masts.
Dispatch
The act of sending off something
Send
The impulse of a wave by which a vessel is carried bodily.
Dispatch
The property of being prompt and efficient;
It was done with dispatch
Send
Cause to go somewhere;
The explosion sent the car flying in the air
She sent her children to camp
He directed all his energies into his dissertation
Dispatch
Send away towards a designated goal
Send
To cause or order to be taken, directed, or transmitted to another place;
He had sent the dispatches downtown to the proper people and had slept
Dispatch
Complete or carry out;
Discharge one's duties
Send
Cause to be directed or transmitted to another place;
Send me your latest results
I'll mail you the paper when it's written
Dispatch
Dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently;
He dispatched the task he was assigned
Send
Transport commercially
Send
Assign to a station
Send
Transfer;
The spy sent the classified information off to Russia
Send
Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
He was committed to prison
Send
Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television;
We cannot air this X-rated song
Common Curiosities
Is "dispatch" used more in formal or informal contexts?
"Dispatch" is often used in more formal or business-related contexts, particularly where there is a sense of urgency or efficiency.
What does "dispatch" imply in the context of emergency services?
In emergency services, "dispatch" implies sending out vehicles, personnel, or aid with urgency and organization.
Can "send" be used for both digital and physical items?
Yes, "send" is versatile and can be used for digital messages like emails and texts, as well as physical items like packages.
Is "dispatch" commonly used in personal communications?
"Dispatch" is less common in personal communications and more associated with formal, business, or service-related contexts.
Are there industries where "dispatch" is more commonly used?
"Dispatch" is more commonly used in logistics, transportation, emergency services, and military contexts.
Does "dispatch" have any connotations with speed?
Yes, "dispatch" conveys a connotation of speed, efficiency, and prompt action.
Is there a difference in the urgency conveyed by "send" and "dispatch"?
"Dispatch" often conveys a greater sense of urgency and purpose compared to "send," which is more neutral.
Is "send" appropriate for both casual and formal situations?
"Send" is versatile and can be appropriately used in both casual and formal contexts.
What does "send" typically imply in communication?
"Send" usually implies transmitting a message, document, or item to another location or person, without inherent urgency.
Can "send" be used to refer to causing someone to be in a particular state?
Yes, "send" can be used metaphorically to describe causing someone to be in a particular emotional or physical state.
Can "dispatch" imply dealing with something quickly and efficiently?
Yes, "dispatch" can also mean to deal with a task, problem, or opponent quickly and efficiently.
Can "send" imply emitting or radiating something?
Yes, "send" can also imply emitting, releasing, or radiating something, like light or fragrance.
Is "dispatch" used in the context of digital communications?
"Dispatch" is less commonly used for digital communications, with "send" being the preferred term for emails, texts, etc.
How does regional preference affect the use of "send" and "dispatch"?
Regional preferences may influence the use of "dispatch," making it more common in specific industries or contexts, whereas "send" is universally understood.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
