proctor

noun

proc·​tor ˈpräk-tər How to pronounce proctor (audio)
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 transitive + intransitive verb
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 Several also liked a function of the test that puts each student on an automatic timer, rather than leaving stop and start times up to the proctor. Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 There will also be volunteers on hand serving as role players, proctors and evaluators. Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2024 The organization will also now require proctors to wear body cameras during all phases of the licensing exams. Kinga Borondy, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 The test proctor kindly tried to put me at ease and then glanced at her computer — her eyes widened. Sarah Schutte, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 When Sophia was 18 years old, Huffman was arrested and charged for paying a proctor to change her older daughter's SAT exam scores. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2023 Singer arranged for a particular proctor to ensure Huffman's daughter scored well on a college entrance exam. Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2023 Huffman was arrested in March 2019 during Sophia's senior year of high school for paying $15,000 for a proctor to correct her SAT answers — allegedly without Sophia's knowledge. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2023 Quiet descended as proctors distributed booklets for Round 1: nine Sudoku puzzles, with a 45-minute time limit. Siobhan Roberts Chloë Ellingson, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proctor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English procutour procurator, proctor, alteration of procuratour

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proctor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near proctor

Cite this Entry

“Proctor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proctor. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proctor

noun
proc·​tor ˈpräk-tər How to pronounce proctor (audio)
: a person who supervises students during an examination
proctor verb

More from Merriam-Webster on proctor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!