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

As the league continues to evaluate officiating and implement new resources, WNBA leadership, players and coaches are expected to remain engaged in conversations about improving consistency on the court. — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

This update will not include a Last Two Minute report — a mainstay of late-game transparency in the NBA — although Engelbert said the league hopes to adopt these types of officiating resources eventually as investment continues to improve. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

The differences do not make one game easier to officiate than the other, though. — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

When a team struggles to get results and win games, all the uncontrollables — like officiating — must go your way. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 July 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