dispatcher
UK: dɪˈspætʃə | US: dɪˈspætʃər
n. a person or thing that dispatches, especially someone who sends out vehicles or personnel for tasks
n. (computing) a program or component that manages the allocation of resources or tasks
The word "dispatcher" combines the verb "dispatch" (from Italian "dispacciare" or Spanish "despachar," meaning "to send hastily") with the agentive suffix "-er." The root "dispatch" evolved to emphasize speed and efficiency in sending or completing tasks, while "-er" denotes a person or tool performing the action. The term reflects its functional role in logistics and computing, where timely coordination is key.
The taxi dispatcher assigned drivers to incoming ride requests.
Emergency dispatchers coordinate police and ambulance responses.
The operating system’s dispatcher allocates CPU time to running processes.
She worked as a flight dispatcher for a major airline.
The dispatcher relayed the urgent message to the field team.