officer
Americannoun
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a person who holds a position of rank or authority in the army, navy, air force, or any similar organization, especially one who holds a commission.
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a member of a police department or a constable.
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a person licensed to take full or partial responsibility for the operation of a merchant ship or other large civilian ship; a master or mate.
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a person appointed or elected to some position of responsibility or authority in the government, a corporation, a society, etc.
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(in some honorary orders) a member of any rank except the lowest.
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Obsolete. an agent.
verb (used with object)
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to furnish with officers.
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to command or direct as an officer does.
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to direct, conduct, or manage.
noun
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a person in the armed services who holds a position of responsibility, authority, and duty, esp one who holds a commission
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See police officer
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(on a non-naval ship) any person including the captain and mate, who holds a position of authority and responsibility
radio officer
engineer officer
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a person appointed or elected to a position of responsibility or authority in a government, society, etc
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a government official
a customs officer
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(in the Order of the British Empire) a member of the grade below commander
verb
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to furnish with officers
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to act as an officer over (some section, group, organization, etc)
Other Word Forms
- officerhood noun
- officerial adjective
- officerless adjective
- officership noun
- subofficer noun
- underofficer noun
- unofficered adjective
Etymology
Origin of officer
1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French; Middle French officier < Medieval Latin officiārius, equivalent to Latin offici ( um ) office + -ārius -ary; -er 2, -ier 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A spokesperson said the victim's next of kin was being supported by family liaison officers.
From BBC
Austin’s Police Chief called the scene “chaotic” but praised officers for quickly securing the area and helping victims.
From Salon
As night began to fall, search and rescue teams lit large floodlights to continue their search for the missing, while police and military officers dispersed the hundreds of onlookers for fear of another strike.
From Barron's
It’s becoming comical: chief heart, well-being and happiness officers, even chief vibes and inspiration officers.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers responded to reports of a man with a gun at Buford's on West Sixth Street, a popular entertainment district in the city.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
