officiate

verb

of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfi-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce officiate (audio)
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 noun

Examples of officiate in a Sentence

The bishop officiated the memorial Mass. Two referees officiated the hockey game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jenkins and the Grizzlies were also upset by the way the game was officiated. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024 Paris’s godfather, the celebrated poet Tom Healy, officiated their ceremony. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2024 Even the mass can be officiated by a priest and not a nun. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2024 Following a welcome dinner at Nobu in Los Cabos ahead of the wedding, the couple and their guests gathered for the emotional ceremony, which was officiated by Greg and Cooper's fathers. Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for officiate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of officiate was in 1623

Dictionary Entries Near officiate

Cite this Entry

“Officiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/officiate. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

officiate

verb
of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfish-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce officiate (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on officiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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