officer

[ aw-fuh-ser, of-uh- ]

noun

1. a person who holds a position of rank or authority in the army, navy, air force, or any similar organization, especially one who holds a commission.
2. a member of a police department or a constable.
3. a person licensed to take full or partial responsibility for the operation of a merchant ship or other large civilian ship; a master or mate.
4. a person appointed or elected to some position of responsibility or authority in the government, a corporation, a society, etc.
5. (in some honorary orders) a member of any rank except the lowest.
6. Obsolete. an agent.

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with officers.
2. to command or direct as an officer does.
3. to direct, conduct, or manage.

officer

/ ˈɒfɪsə /

noun

1. a person in the armed services who holds a position of responsibility, authority, and duty, esp one who holds a commission
2. See police officer
3. (on a non-naval ship) any person including the captain and mate, who holds a position of authority and responsibility

   radio officer

   engineer officer

4. a person appointed or elected to a position of responsibility or authority in a government, society, etc
5. a government official

   a customs officer

6. (in the Order of the British Empire) a member of the grade below commander

verb

1. to furnish with officers
2. to act as an officer over (some section, group, organization, etc)

Other Words From

• of·fi·ce·ri·al [aw-f, uh, -, seer, -ee-, uh, l, of-, uh, -], adjective
• offi·cer·less adjective
• offi·cer·ship offi·cer·hood noun
• sub·offi·cer noun
• under·offi·cer noun
• un·offi·cered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of officer¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French; Middle French officier < Medieval Latin officiārius, equivalent to Latin offici ( um ) office + -ārius -ary; -er ², -ier ²

Example Sentences

Mr Rudakubana was sitting with a single prison officer behind him and holding his grey sweatshirt over his face with his left hand.

From BBC

He referred to "first of all" firing the US' top military officer, Gen Charles "CQ" Brown Jr, saying people involved in diversity, equality or inclusion policies had "got to go".

From BBC

Every episode must incorporate music and life skills, said Rich Hickey, chief creative officer.

From Los Angeles Times

Several officers said in anonymous declarations earlier this year that they were forced to add extra security at their homes and pay for online services to scrub their identities from internet searches.

From Los Angeles Times

Police Scotland said they were investigating the incident and community police officers were carrying out additional patrols in the area.

From BBC

Related Words

• agent
• chief
• civil servant
• deputy
• director
• executive
• leader
• manager
• official
• representative