committee

[ kuh-mit-ee ]

noun

1. a person or group of persons elected or appointed to perform some service or function, as to investigate, report on, or act upon a particular matter.
2. standing committee.
3. Law. an individual to whom the care of a person or a person's estate is committed.

committee

noun

1. kəˈmɪtɪ a group of people chosen or appointed to perform a specified service or function
2. ˌkɒmɪˈtiː (formerly) a person to whom the care of a mentally incompetent person or his property was entrusted by a court See also receiver

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Words From

• com·mittee·ism com·mittee·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of committee¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French; commit, -ee

Word History and Origins

Origin of committee¹

C15: from committen to entrust + -ee

Example Sentences

MPs first called for the measure more than two years ago, when a parliamentary committee found it could have a deterrent effect, as well as encouraging victims to come forward.

From BBC

This year, 12 officials traveled to Asia, including four state senators and five assemblymembers — most of whom sit on energy and transportation committees — and three state administration officials including Fiona Ma, the state treasurer.

From Los Angeles Times

The industry complaints about Kennedy’s agenda do not come as a surprise, said Jeff Hutt, a spokesperson for the Make America Healthy Again political action committee, which is urging Republican lawmakers to confirm Kennedy.

From BBC

Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, the chair of a committee of MPs working on sanctions against Russia, told the BBC the Crisp case isn’t a “one-off”.

From BBC

Independent expenditure committees poured more than $7.6 million into the race, making it the most expensive election for state Legislature this year, according to California Target Book, a political database.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• board
• bureau
• cabinet
• chamber
• commission
• jury
• panel
• task force