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 Word Forms

• officerial adjective
• officerless adjective
• officership noun
• officerhood noun
• subofficer noun
• underofficer noun
• unofficered 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

A 2022 Times investigation revealed a massive staffing shortage was leading to significant injuries for both youths and probation officers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the former, a young boy with a dog stares out at us as a white police officer eyes with suspicion a group of men nearby.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

CHP officers spotted the van on the southbound 5 Freeway at Western Avenue, the agency said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The footage, which AFP could not independently verify, showed civil protection officers and worried parents rushing to assist the students.

Read more on Barron's

The price target hike came after Oppenheimer hosted meetings with the company’s chief financial officer and senior vice president of investor relations.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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