officiate

verb

of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfi-shē-ˌāt 

officiated; officiating

intransitive verb

1

: to perform a ceremony, function, or duty

officiate at a wedding

2

: to act in an official capacity : act as an official (as at a sports contest)

transitive verb

1

: to carry out (an official duty or function)

2

: to serve as a leader or celebrant of (a ceremony)

3

: to administer the rules of (a game or sport) especially as a referee or umpire

officiation

ə-ˌfi-shē-ˈā-shən 

noun

Examples of officiate in a Sentence

The bishop officiated the memorial Mass.

Two referees officiated the hockey game.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cloud was assessed a technical foul in the immediate moments after Jackson’s injury for an exchange with the officiating crew. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 18 May 2026

The ceremony was officiated by Bishop Kenneth Ulmer. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026

Nelson Peltz even officiated the couple’s vow renewal ceremony in August 2025 at the tycoon’s compound in Westchester, New York. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve — who famously blasted officiating during last year’s playoffs and was later hit with the largest fine in league history — said the current product is not what members of the task force discussed. —Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin officiātus, past participle of officiāre "to perform a function, perform priestly duties," going back to Late Latin officiārī "to perform a function," derivative of Latin officium "duty, office"

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for officiate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

officiate

verb

of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfish-ē-ˌāt 

officiated; officiating

1

: to perform a ceremony

officiate at a wedding

2

: to act as an officer

officiated at the annual meeting

3

: to enforce the rules of (a game or sport)

officiate a soccer match