First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
office
noun of·fice \ˈä-fəs, ˈȯ-\
: a building or room in which people work at desks doing business or professional activities
: a room with a desk where a particular person works
: a building or room where a doctor, lawyer, etc., works and meets with patients or clients
Full Definition of OFFICE
1
a : a special duty, charge, or position conferred by an exercise of governmental authority and for a public purpose : a position of authority to exercise a public function and to receive whatever emoluments may belong to it b : a position of responsibility or some degree of executive authority
2
[Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin officium, from Latin] : a prescribed form or service of worship; specifically capitalized : divine office
3
: a religious or social ceremonial observance : rite
4
5
: a place where a particular kind of business is transacted or a service is supplied: as a : a place in which the functions of a public officer are performed b : the directing headquarters of an enterprise or organization c : the place in which a professional person conducts business
6
plural chiefly British : the apartments, attached buildings, or outhouses in which the activities attached to the service of a house are carried on
7
a : a major administrative unit in some governments <British Foreign Office> b : a subdivision of some government departments <Patent Office>
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Origin of OFFICE
Synonym Discussion of OFFICE
function, office, duty, province mean the acts or operations expected of a person or thing. function implies a definite end or purpose or a particular kind of work <the function of language is two-fold: to communicate emotion and to give information — Aldous Huxley>. office is typically applied to the function or service associated with a trade or profession or a special relationship to others <they exercise the offices of the judge, the priest, the counsellor — W. E. Gladstone>. duty applies to a task or responsibility imposed by one's occupation, rank, status, or calling <it is the judicial duty of the court, to examine the whole case — R. B. Taney>. province applies to a function, office, or duty that naturally or logically falls to one <I felt it was not my province to inquire — Anne Brontë>.
OFFICE Defined for Kids
office
noun of·fice \ˈȯ-fəs\
Definition of OFFICE for Kids
1
: a place where business is done or a service is supplied <a doctor's office>
2
: a special duty or position and especially one of authority in government <My uncle wants to run for office.>
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