officiate

[uh-fish-ee-eyt]

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.

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

/ əˈfɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

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

2. to conduct a religious or other ceremony

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of officiate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of officiate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin officiāre, from Latin officium; see _office

Example Sentences

He was gunned down on Saturday as he officiated a candle-lighting ceremony for Day of the Dead, one of the main religious festivities in Mexico’s western Michoacán state.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The move, with the NBA working in cooperation with the National Basketball Referees Association, launches a two-phase process which is aimed at improving game flow and enhancing officiating accuracy.

Read more on Barron's

Then this latest hiccup fueled even more concerns that the chaotic play has become too hard to officiate properly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In past years, Kaczanowski recruited referees to officiate the full day’s slate of events.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Collier then detailed a discussion she says she had with Engelbert in February in which the commissioner allegedly blew off Collier’s concerns about officiating and players’ salaries.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• preside