Definition

1. Noun:
   • A group of people appointed or elected to perform a specific function or task: A committee is a formal body, typically within a larger organization, that is given responsibility for a particular area of activity, investigation, or decision-making.
   • A group delegated to consider, investigate, or report on a matter: It often refers to a smaller subgroup formed to focus on a specific issue, project, or event.

Usage

• Committees are common in governments, corporations, clubs, and other organizations.
• They are usually formed to distribute work, utilize specialized knowledge, or ensure representation of different interests.
• A committee can be permanent (standing committee) or temporary (ad hoc committee).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The finance committee will review the annual budget next week.
  • A special committee was formed to investigate the incident.
  • She serves on the committee for community outreach.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on a committee": To be a member of a committee.
  • He has been on the planning committee for three years.
• "Committee meeting": A gathering of the committee members to discuss business.
  • The committee meeting was adjourned after two hours.
• "Committee chair/chairperson": The leader or head of a committee.
  • As committee chair, she will lead the discussions.

Variants and Related Words

• Subcommittee (n): A smaller committee formed from a main committee to focus on a specific part of its work.
  • The subcommittee on ethics will present its findings.
• Committal (n): The act of committing or sending someone to an institution (Note: This is a different word with a different meaning, but it shares the same root).

Synonyms

• Panel: A group of people gathered to discuss or judge a topic.
• Board: A group of people having managerial or advisory powers (e.g., board of directors).
• Commission: A group of people officially charged with a particular function (often implies authority granted by a government).

Related Phrases

• "Committee of the whole": A parliamentary procedure where a legislative body transforms itself into a committee to discuss a bill in a less formal manner.
• "Steering committee": A committee that provides guidance and direction on a project or within an organization.

Idioms

• "A camel is a horse designed by a committee": A humorous saying criticizing committees for producing overly complex, compromised, or inefficient results due to too many conflicting opinions.

Noun

1. a self-constituted organization to promote something
2. a special group delegated to consider some matter
   • a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours - Milton Berle