officiate

American  

[uh-fish-ee-eyt] / əˈfɪʃ iˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

officiated, officiating

1. to perform the office of a member of the clergy, as at a divine service.

2. to perform the duties or function of some office or position.

3. to serve as referee, umpire, or other official in a sports contest or game.

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verb (used with object)

officiated, officiating

1. to serve as the priest or minister of (a divine service, religious ceremony, etc.).

2. to perform, carry out, or fulfill (an official duty or function).

3. to act as a referee, umpire, timekeeper, or other official for (a sports contest or game).

officiate British  

/ əˈfɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to hold the position, responsibility, or function of an official

2. to conduct a religious or other ceremony

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Other Word Forms

• officiation noun
• officiator noun
• unofficiated adjective
• unofficiating adjective

Etymology

Origin of officiate

First recorded in 1625–35; from Medieval Latin officiātus (past participle of officiāre “to serve”), equivalent to Latin offici(um) “service, duty” + -ātus, past participle suffix; office, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

But Ano warned another major problem stands in the way of the Olympic dream: complex officiating that makes it difficult to train new referees.

From Barron's

The league has plenty of other problems with officiating.

From BBC

Scottish referee Hollie Davidson will make history on Saturday in Dublin when she becomes the first woman to officiate a men's Six Nations match.

From Barron's

This Sunday's NFL flagship spectacle will be officiated by Shawn Smith, who from Monday to Friday works as a manager at the Detroit branch of a medical insurance firm.

From Barron's

Most judges travel regularly to attend judicial conferences, to speak at bar associations and universities, or to officiate moot courts at law schools.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• preside