The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Administration \Ad*min`is*tra"tion\ (?; 277), n. [OE.
   administracioun, L. administratio: cf. F. administration.]
   1. The act of administering; government of public affairs;
      the service rendered, or duties assumed, in conducting
      affairs; the conducting of any office or employment;
      direction; management.
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            His financial administration was of a piece with his
            military administration.              --Macaulay.
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   2. The executive part of government; the persons collectively
      who are intrusted with the execution of laws and the
      superintendence of public affairs; the chief magistrate
      and his cabinet or council; or the council, or ministry,
      alone, as in Great Britain.
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            A mild and popular administration.    --Macaulay.
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            The administration has been opposed in parliament.
                                                  --Johnson.
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   3. The act of administering, or tendering something to
      another; dispensation; as, the administration of a
      medicine, of an oath, of justice, or of the sacrament.
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   4. (Law)
      (a) The management and disposal, under legal authority, of
          the estate of an intestate, or of a testator having no
          competent executor.
      (b) The management of an estate of a deceased person by an
          executor, the strictly corresponding term execution
          not being in use.
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   Administration with the will annexed, administration
      granted where the testator has appointed no executor, or
      where his appointment of an executor for any cause has
      failed, as by death, incompetency, refusal to act, etc.
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   Syn: Conduct; management; direction; regulation; execution;
        dispensation; distribution.
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