Administer Britain's Exit

Question

I have a question about the usage of the verb "administer" in this news article:

In remarks shortly after her leadership was affirmed, May said her priorities will be to administer Britain's exit from the European Union, a move approved by voters last month, to unite the country and to create a "strong, new, positive vision for the future," not just for the privileged few, but for everyone.

According to dictionaries, one could:

--administer an organization
--administer a fund
--administer an examination
--administer an oath

But, the phrase "administer Britain's exit from the European Union" in the new article, does not fit dictionary definitions, as "Britain's exit" is neither an organization, nor a fund, nor an exam, nor an oath.

So, is it an poor usage of "administer" in the news article?

Answer 1

To "administer" is "to have charge of; to manage". http://www.thefreedictionary.com/administer

You can administer an organization, like a business or a government agency. You can also administer an event, like an exam. Or like a Brexit.

That is, May will be managing the process of Britain's exit.

The list you cite is a list of examples of things someone could administer. But it is not complete. There are many other things one could administer besides what is listed there.

Answer 2

The usage of "administer" is correct.

to administer

is to control the operation or arrangement of something which is what Theresa May will be doing as the next UK PM: guiding and controlling the path towards Brexit.

The first official step, in terms of Brexit, will be to invoke Article 50 which she has said she will not do until next year.