officer of the day

American

noun

Military.

an officer who has charge of the guard and prisoners on an assigned day at a military installation. OD, O.D., O.O.D.

officer of the day British

noun

Also called: orderly officer. a military officer whose duty is to take charge of the security of the unit or camp for a day

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of officer of the day

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As he parked his car in a lot on the edge of downtown, Chulak encountered his first police officer of the day and asked him the key to maintaining peace.

From Washington Post • Jul. 19, 2016

His skipper made him officer of the day for Sunday, Dec. 7, with the remark that "nothing happens here on Sunday."

From Time Magazine Archive

He was just preparing for sleep when Aschemberg announced through the officer of the day that he wished greatly to see the king.

From The Deluge, Vol. II. (of 2) An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

The officer of the day was saved the necessity of placing me under arrest.

From Four Years A Scout and Spy by Downs, E. C.

We sometimes see the officer of the day riding in the Row in uniform, but never any other.

From Letters of a Diplomat's Wife 1883-1900 by Waddington, Mary King

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023