proctor

noun

proc·​tor ˈpräk-tər 

plural proctors

: someone who supervises or monitors students:

a

US : someone who oversees student examinations

The primary job of the proctor is to monitor students to ensure they're following testing room rules and not sharing answers.

—Arika Harron

If a test proctor isn't following protocol, or test-takers haven't been given the correct amount of time, results can be skewed.

—Alizah Salario

b

British : an officer at a university who is responsible especially for disciplinary measures

At night proctors patrolled the street and dogged your steps if you tried to go into any haunt where the presence of vice was suspected.

—Samuel Butler †1902

proctor verb, transitive + intransitive

proctored; proctoring; proctors

proctor an exam

Some of the teachers volunteered to proctor.

see also:

proctorial proctorship

Examples of proctor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The proctor told the students to stop, and Bo handed in his exam papers. — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026

Shapiro did receive a proctor, a peer meant to observe his competency, for surgeries. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026

In Taiwan, a student sitting for an entrance exam for a top medical school was discovered wearing smart glasses after proctors noticed the student staring oddly at the test, leading to an inspection that revealed the frame was emitting heat. — John Liu, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

These dynamics have led both students and faculty to ask Princeton to bring professors back as exam proctors. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English procutour procurator, proctor, alteration of procuratour

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for proctor

• auctor
• doctor

Kids Definition

proctor

noun

proc·​tor ˈpräk-tər 

: a person who supervises students during an examination

proctor verb