officer

American  

[aw-fuh-ser, of-uh-] / ˈɔ fə sər, ˈɒf ə- /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to furnish with officers

2. to act as an officer over (some section, group, organization, etc)

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of officer

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

That logic is broken, McNicholas said, because under federal law, to get a 100% disability rating — which each of the officers obtained — a veteran doesn’t have to be fully disabled.

From Los Angeles Times

In a response to the GAO report, Richard Lucas, the acting chief operating officer of FSA, pushed back on the watchdog’s suggestion to resume call monitoring and testing for accuracy.

From MarketWatch

"Searches are under way and officers are in the area. We are asking anyone who sees him to get in touch."

From BBC

Adam Spencer, supporter experience officer at Exeter City, said the Barcelona fan was "pretty gutted and a bit embarrassed".

From BBC

Chief operations officer Alex McGowan said Cathay has no "undue concern" over the supply of aviation fuel, but will keep a "very close watch".

From Barron's

Related Words

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