office

of·fice

noun \ˈä-fəs, ˈȯ-\

Definition of OFFICE

1

a : a special duty, charge, or position conferred by an exercise of governmental authority and for a public purpose : a position of authority to exercise a public function and to receive whatever emoluments may belong to it b : a position of responsibility or some degree of executive authority

2

[Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin officium, from Latin] : a prescribed form or service of worship; specifically capitalized : divine office

3

: a religious or social ceremonial observance : rite

4

a : something that one ought to do or must do : an assigned or assumed duty, task, or role b : the proper or customary action of something : function c : something done for another : service

5

: a place where a particular kind of business is transacted or a service is supplied: as a : a place in which the functions of a public officer are performed b : the directing headquarters of an enterprise or organization c : the place in which a professional person conducts business

6

plural chiefly British : the apartments, attached buildings, or outhouses in which the activities attached to the service of a house are carried on

7

a : a major administrative unit in some governments <British Foreign Office> b : a subdivision of some government departments <Patent Office>

Examples of OFFICE

1. She works at our Chicago office.
2. Are you going to the office today?
3. The supervisor held an informal meeting in his office.
4. Her office is on the top floor near the elevator.
5. He misbehaved in class and was sent to the principal's office.
6. We use the extra bedroom in our house as an office.
7. We stopped by the lawyer's office to pick up some documents.
8. He has been in office for a decade.
9. He was voted out of office.
10. He won the election and will take office at the beginning of the year.

Origin of OFFICE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin officium service, duty, office, from opus work + facere to make, do — more at operate, do

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to OFFICE

Synonyms: agency, arm, branch, bureau, department, desk, division, service

Related Words: subdepartment, subdivision

Near Antonyms: grace, postponement, stay; discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver; loophole; alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

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See Synonym Discussion at function