committee

noun

com·​mit·​tee kə-ˈmi-tē 

 sense 2 also  ˌkä-mi-ˈtē

1

a

: a body of persons delegated to consider, investigate, take action on, or report on some matter

an advisory committee

specifically : a group of fellow legislators chosen by a legislative body to give consideration to legislative matters

The bill has been sent back to committee.

b

: a self-constituted organization for the promotion of a common object

the Olympic Committee

the Northwest Wildlife Committee

c

US sports, informal : a group of players on a team who share a particular role in the team's play instead of having an individual player principally assigned to that role

After going with a committee of running backs last season, the Chiefs were hoping Bam Morris would be able to go the full 16 games as the feature runner, something he has never done in his career.

—Bob Fedas

2

archaic : a person to whom a charge or trust is committed

Synonyms

• commission
• panel

Examples of committee in a Sentence

We're waiting for recommendations from the advisory committee.

The bill has been referred back to committee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bill text passed out of several committees would repeal existing clean energy tax credits, claw back unobligated funding, expand oil and gas leasing, repeal certain Clean Air Act programs. —Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

Guthrie said during the committee debate that Republicans are not trying to model Arkansas, listing a the bill's multiple exemptions. —Riley Beggin, USA Today, 18 May 2025

According to committee aides, the administration has yet to offer a meaningful response, and the investigation into the firings remains active. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025

Leah Millis | Reuters House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism that the budget bill that failed to exit committee Friday would still reach the House floor before Memorial Day as lawmakers prepare to vote again at 10 p.m. ET Sunday night. —Hanna Howard, CNBC, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English commyttee, from committen "to commit" + -ee -ee entry 1

Note: Stress on the penultimate syllable is perhaps by association with Latin comitia comitia.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing committee

• committee of the whole
• die in committee
• political action committee
• school committee
• standing committee
• steering committee
• vigilance committee

Rhymes for committee

• bitty
• city
• ditty
• gritty
• kitty
• nitty
• pity
• pretty
• witty
• atomicity
• catholicity
• ellipticity

Kids Definition

committee

noun

com·​mit·​tee kə-ˈmit-ē 

: a group of persons appointed or elected to consider or take action on some matter

a legislative committee

Legal Definition

committee

noun

com·​mit·​tee

1

: a person to whom a charge (as an incompetent) is committed compare conservator, curator, guardian, tutor

2

a

: a body of persons delegated or assigned to consider, investigate, act on, or report on some matter

especially : a group of fellow legislators chosen by a legislative body to consider legislative matters (as drafting bills or conducting hearings)

the Senate judiciary committee

see also conference committee, joint committee

b

: a private organization for the promotion of a common object

political action committees

compare council