Definition

1. Noun:
   • A room, set of rooms, or building where people work, especially at clerical or professional tasks: A physical location designated for administrative, business, or professional work.
   • A position of authority, trust, or service, especially within a government, organization, or company: The role, duty, or job itself that a person holds.
   • A government department or administrative unit: A major division or branch of a government.
   • A duty or function assigned to or required of a person or thing: The purpose or role something is meant to serve.
   • (Often plural) A service or kindness; an act done for another: Helpful intervention or assistance.
   • (Often capitalized) A prescribed form or service of worship, especially in Christian liturgy: A religious ceremony or rite, such as a daily prayer service.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Workplace):
  • She works in a modern office in the city center.
  • The company is moving to a larger office next month.
• Noun (Position/Role):
  • He was elected to the office of mayor.
  • She held the office of treasurer for three years.
• Noun (Government Department):
  • The Foreign Office issued a travel advisory.
  • He works for the Office of Management and Budget.
• Noun (Duty/Function):
  • It is the office of a judge to administer justice fairly.
  • The main office of this tool is to cut metal.
• Noun (Service/Assistance):
  • They were reconciled through the good offices of a mutual friend.
• Noun (Religious Rite):
  • The monks gather to pray the divine office each day.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in office": To currently hold an official position, especially an elected one.
  • The current president has been in office for two years.
• "To take office": To formally begin duties in an official position.
  • The new governor will take office in January.
• "To leave/resign from office": To step down or cease holding an official position.
  • The minister was forced to resign from office after the scandal.

Variants and Related Words

• Officer (n): A person holding a position of authority, especially in the armed forces, police, or a corporation.
• Official (adj/n): (Adjective) Relating to an authority or public body. (Noun) A person holding public office or having official duties.
• Officiate (v): To act as an official in charge of something, especially a sports event or ceremony.
• Officeholder (n): A person who holds a public office.

Synonyms

• Position: A job or role.
• Post: A job, especially an important one in an organization.
• Bureau: An office or department for transacting particular business.
• Role: The function assumed or part played by a person or thing.
• Duty: A moral or legal obligation; a responsibility.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Office" is not commonly used to form phrasal verbs. The related actions are more often expressed with verbs like "hold," "take," or "leave" as shown in Advanced Usage.)

Related Idioms

• "Through someone's good offices": With someone's help or kind intervention.
  • The deal was arranged through the good offices of their lawyer.
• "A box office success": (Using "box office," a compound term) A film or show that is very popular and earns a lot of money from ticket sales.
  • The movie was a huge box office success.

Noun

1. a job in an organization
   • he occupied a post in the treasury
2. a religious rite or service prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities
   • the offices of the mass
3. professional or clerical workers in an office
   • the whole office was late the morning of the blizzard
4. (of a government or government official) holding an office means being in power
   • being in office already gives a candidate a great advantage
   • during his first year in office
   • during his first year in power
   • the power of the president
5. the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
   • the function of a teacher
   • the government must do its part
   • play its role
6. an administrative unit of government
   • the Central Intelligence Agency
   • the Census Bureau
   • Office of Management and Budget
   • Tennessee Valley Authority
7. place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
   • he rented an office in the new building