superintendent

[ soo-per-in-ten-duhnt, soo-prin- ]

noun

1. a person who oversees or directs some work, enterprise, establishment, organization, district, etc.; supervisor.
2. a person who is in charge of maintenance and repairs of an apartment house; custodian.
3. a high-ranking police officer, especially a chief of police or an officer ranking next above an inspector.

adjective

1. superintending.

superintendent

/ ˌsuːpərɪnˈtɛndənt; ˌsuːprɪn- /

noun

1. a person who directs and manages an organization, office, etc
2. (in Britain) a senior police officer higher in rank than an inspector but lower than a chief superintendent
3. (in the US) the head of a police department
4. a caretaker, esp of a block of apartments

adjective

1. of or relating to supervision; superintending

Word History and Origins

Origin of superintendent¹

1545–55; < Medieval Latin superintendent- (stem of superintendēns ), present participle of superintendere to superintend; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of superintendent¹

C16: from Church Latin superintendens overseeing

Example Sentences

She started a monthlong substitute-teaching assignment on Nov. 4 and said she was outraged to receive a call from an assistant superintendent on Wednesday dismissing her.

From Los Angeles Times

Then a detective superintendent in the murder squad, Tony was based in Bradford where it was not too unusual for teenagers to disappear overnight before re-emerging the next day.

From BBC

His research found that 50% of superintendents said they had been subject to harassment last school year over cultural conflicts, and roughly 10% had seen related threats of violence or property vandalism.

From Los Angeles Times

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic loss of our colleague Felicia Hudson, who served the college for nearly three decades with dedication and heart,” said Kathryn Jeffery, the college superintendent and president.

From Los Angeles Times

All Santa Monica College campuses were closed on Tuesday and Kathryn E. Jeffery, the college superintendent and president, urged community members to take advantage of free counseling resources provided by the school.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administrator
• chief
• controller
• curator
• custodian
• director
• inspector
• manager
• supervisor