officiate

[ uh-fish-ee-eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, of·fi·ci·at·ed, of·fi·ci·at·ing.

1. to perform the office of a member of the clergy, as at a divine service.
2. to perform the duties or function of some office or position.
3. to serve as referee, umpire, or other official in a sports contest or game.

verb (used with object)

, of·fi·ci·at·ed, of·fi·ci·at·ing.

1. to serve as the priest or minister of (a divine service, religious ceremony, etc.).
2. to perform, carry out, or fulfill (an official duty or function).
3. to act as a referee, umpire, timekeeper, or other official for (a sports contest or game).

officiate

/ əˈfɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to hold the position, responsibility, or function of an official
2. to conduct a religious or other ceremony

Derived Forms

• ofˌficiˈation, noun
• ofˈficiˌator, noun

Other Words From

• of·fici·ation noun
• of·fici·ator noun
• unof·fici·ated adjective
• unof·fici·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of officiate¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Medieval Latin officiātus (past participle of officiāre “to serve”), equivalent to Latin offici(um) “service, duty” + -ātus, past participle suffix; office, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of officiate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin officiāre, from Latin officium; see office

Example Sentences

Wingo believes that just as there now are designated outside experts to talk about officiating on NFL telecasts, one day there will be similar analysts for gambling commentary.

From Washington Post

Curtis also noted that Ruby and her fiancé are getting married next year in a wedding that Curtis will officiate.

From Washington Blade

He oversaw the extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples in Virginia and as his campaign notes was the first governor of a southern state to officiate a same-sex wedding.

From Washington Blade

McAuliffe’s campaign notes he is the first governor of a Southern state to officiate a same-sex wedding.

From Washington Blade

They started dating during Clinton’s first presidential campaign in 2008, tying the knot two years later — with Bill Clinton officiating.

From Ozy

The first thing Joplin needs to find out before he will agree to officiate a wedding is why his potential client is in prison.

From The Daily Beast

There, the city is apparently requiring the Hitching Post Lakeside Chapel to officiate gay weddings.

From The Daily Beast

She seems astonished by the fact that no ministers wanted to officiate, writing, “So much for Christianity as we know it today.”

From The Daily Beast

Booker had previously refused to officiate at any weddings as a statement of principle until same-sex marriage was legalized.

From The Daily Beast

Yahadut Hatorah claims it would also allow untrustworthy rabbis to officiate at the Jewish weddings.

From The Daily Beast

So to Dr. Castle's, and there did get a promise from his clerk that his master should officiate for me to-morrow.

From Project Gutenberg

There was nothing for it but to race through the ceremony, and "Old Jimmy" was not required to officiate again.

From Project Gutenberg

Then a man with a red stamp came in to help officiate till finally we got them all fixed up.

From Project Gutenberg

A chaplain must also be appointed to officiate at burials in the consecrated portion.

From Project Gutenberg

The one whose duty it was to officiate at the reception of initiates stood in the center.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• preside