office
a room, set of rooms, or building where the business of a commercial or industrial organization or of a professional person is conducted: the main office of an insurance company; a doctor's office.
a room assigned to a specific person or a group of persons in a commercial or industrial organization: Her office is next to mine.
a business or professional organization: He went to work in an architect's office.
the staff or designated part of a staff at a commercial or industrial organization: The whole office was at his wedding.
a position of duty, trust, or authority, especially in the government, a corporation, a society, or the like: She was elected twice to the office of president.
employment or position as an official: to seek office.
the duty, function, or part of a particular person or agency: to act in the office of adviser.
(initial capital letter) an operating agency or division of certain departments of the U.S. Government: Office of Community Services.
(initial capital letter)British. a major administrative unit or department of the national government: the Foreign Office.
Slang. hint, signal, or warning; high sign.
Often offices. something, whether good or bad, done or said for or to another: He obtained a position through the offices of a friend.
Ecclesiastical.
the prescribed order or form for a service of the church or for devotional use.
the services so prescribed.
Also called divine office. the prayers, readings from Scripture, and psalms that must be recited every day by all who are in major orders.
a ceremony or rite, especially for the dead.
a service or task to be performed; assignment; chore: little domestic offices.
offices, Chiefly British.
the parts of a house, as the kitchen, pantry, or laundry, devoted mainly to household work.
the stables, barns, cowhouses, etc., of a farm.
Older Slang. privy.
Origin of office
1synonym study For office
Other words for office
Other words from office
- of·fice·less, adjective
- outoffice, noun
- sub·of·fice, noun
Words that may be confused with office
- office , orifice
Words Nearby office
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use office in a sentence
How do you feel about Archer and the gang abandoning the cartel and returning to the office?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS | Marlow Stern | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTTwo witnesses outside the Charlie Hebdo office building quoted the Kouachi brothers claiming they were members of al Qaeda.
Who among Scalise's constituents could possibly care if he supported naming a post office for a black judge who died in 1988?
Granted, James is in an office in the Pentagon, and not on the front lines.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War | Nancy A. Youssef | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIn contrast, Boehner's leadership team filed into his ceremonial office and greeted the teary newly-elected Speaker with hugs.
Democrats Accidentally Save Boehner From Republican Coup | Ben Jacobs, Jackie Kucinich | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
It was with a feeling of relief on both sides that the arrival of Mr. Haggard, of the Home office, was announced.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsOn a small scale map, in an office, you may make mole-hills of mountains; on the ground there's no escaping from its features.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThe next morning he came rushing into the office, in a violent state of excitement.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousThey ran side by side across the yard to a roofed flight of steps that led to the printing-office.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettOn the third day after the declaration of his recall, Ripperda took his official leave, and presented his son in his new office.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
British Dictionary definitions for office
/ (ˈɒfɪs) /
a room or set of rooms in which business, professional duties, clerical work, etc, are carried out
(as modifier): office furniture; an office boy
(often plural) the building or buildings in which the work of an organization, such as a business or government department, is carried out
a commercial or professional business: the architect's office approved the plans
the group of persons working in an office: it was a happy office until she came
(capital when part of a name) (in Britain) a department of the national government: the Home Office
(capital when part of a name) (in the US)
a governmental agency, esp of the Federal government
a subdivision of such an agency or of a department: Office of Science and Technology
a position of trust, responsibility, or duty, esp in a government or organization: the office of president; to seek office
(in combination): an office-holder
duty or function: the office of an administrator
(often plural) a minor task or service: domestic offices
(often plural) an action performed for another, usually a beneficial action: through his good offices
a place where tickets, information, etc, can be obtained: a ticket office
Christianity
(often plural) a ceremony or service, prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities, esp one for the dead
the order or form of these
RC Church the official daily service
short for divine office
(plural) the parts of a house or estate where work is done, goods are stored, etc
(usually plural) British euphemistic a lavatory (esp in the phrase usual offices)
in office (of a government) in power
out of office (of a government) out of power
the office slang a hint or signal
Origin of office
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with office
see box office; front office; land-office business; take office.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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