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office definition

of·fice (ôfis, äf-)

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. Etymology: ME < ML(Ec) officium, divine rite < L, ceremonial observance

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

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

office Idioms

in (or out of) office

currently holding (or not holding) power or a particular position of authority

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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