proctor

noun

proc·​tor ˈpräk-tər 

plural proctors

: someone who supervises or monitors students:

a

US : someone who oversees student examinations

The primary job of the proctor is to monitor students to ensure they're following testing room rules and not sharing answers.

—Arika Harron

If a test proctor isn't following protocol, or test-takers haven't been given the correct amount of time, results can be skewed.

—Alizah Salario

b

British : an officer at a university who is responsible especially for disciplinary measures

At night proctors patrolled the street and dogged your steps if you tried to go into any haunt where the presence of vice was suspected.

—Samuel Butler

proctor verb, transitive + intransitive

proctored; proctoring; proctors

proctor an exam

Some of the teachers volunteered to proctor.

see also proctorial, proctorship

Examples of proctor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After check-in, students are seated, and the proctor reads preliminary instructions. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 20 June 2025

At the time of the test, Reuters reported people experiencing internet outages in official examination rooms and proctor disruptions. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025

The test proctor told them they were being locked down at the center because of the shooting, according to the AP. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

The College Board blamed the lack of availability on host schools unwilling to staff and run weekend test centers, but others pointed to low pay for proctors and schools ditching the testing requirement. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English procutour procurator, proctor, alteration of procuratour

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for proctor

• auctor
• doctor

Kids Definition

proctor

noun

proc·​tor ˈpräk-tər 

: a person who supervises students during an examination

proctor verb