office

The definition of an office is a place where business is conducted, the people who make up that business or a position of authority.

(noun)

  1. An example of an office is a law firm.
  2. An example of an office is the position of senator.

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See office in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. something performed or intended to be performed for another; (specified kind of) service: done through someone's good (or ill) offices
    1. a function or duty assigned to someone, esp. as an essential part of his or her work or position
    2. the function or characteristic action of a particular thing
  2. a position of authority or trust, esp. in a government, business, institution, etc.: the office of president
    1. ☆ any of the branches of the U.S. Government ranking next below the departments: the Printing Office
    2. Chiefly Brit. a governmental department: the Foreign Office
    1. the building, room, or series of rooms in which the affairs of a business, professional person, branch of government, etc. are carried on
    2. all the people working in such a place; staff
  3. Chiefly Brit. the rooms or buildings of a house or estate in which the servants carry out their duties
  4. Origin: ME < ML(Ec) officium, divine rite < L, ceremonial observance

    a religious service or set of prayers; esp., Divine Office

Origin: OFr < L officium < opificium, doing of work < opifex, a worker < opus, a work (see opus) + facere, to do

See office in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A place in which business, clerical, or professional activities are conducted.
    b. The administrative personnel, executives, or staff working in such a place.
  2. A duty or function assigned to or assumed by someone. See Synonyms at function.
  3. A position of authority, duty, or trust given to a person, as in a government or corporation: the office of vice president.
  4. a. A subdivision of a governmental department: the U.S. Patent Office.
    b. A major executive division of a government: the British Home Office.
  5. A public position: seek office.
  6. offices Chiefly British The parts of a house, such as the laundry and kitchen, in which servants carry out household work.
  7. A usually beneficial act performed for another. Often used in the plural.
  8. Ecclesiastical A ceremony, rite, or service, usually prescribed by liturgy, especially:
    a. The canonical hours.
    b. A prayer service in the Anglican Church, such as Morning or Evening Prayer.
    c. A ceremony, rite, or service for a special purpose, especially the Office of the Dead.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French, duty

Origin: , from Latin officium; see dhē- in Indo-European roots

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