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

West Plains resident Paige Davis officiated the ceremony, along with at least four others throughout the morning and early afternoon leading up to the eclipse. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

In Trenton, Mayor Ryan Perry officiated a mass wedding for couples who wanted to make their special day more special. —Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 8 Apr. 2024

Paulson's partner, Holland Taylor, 81, officiated the wedding. —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Curry, a victim of the league’s officiating tweak that has allowed more contact, earned his first free throws in over 51 minutes of game time. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

There were just three guests—Megan, Nico, and Sarah—with Holland officiating. —Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

The officiating crew after the game said a foul should have been called on the last play that would have sent Oubre to the line with a chance to win the game. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024

Scholl’s postseason record the last two years (counting conference and NCAA tournaments): 11-2 … • The officiating crew: Kipp Kissinger, Vladimir Voyard-Tadal and Chad Barlow. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024

Ceremony and reception: AI could produce the wedding vows, create a virtual reality reception with fashionable decorations and attire, officiate the ceremony and DJ the music. —Brent Dykes, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

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

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