Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long stick used for support or as a symbol of authority: A strong rod or pole, often made of wood, carried for walking or as a ceremonial object.
   • The group of people who work for an organization: The body of employees, officers, or assistants who carry out the work of a business, institution, or military unit.
   • A set of five horizontal lines for writing musical notes: In music, the framework on which notes are placed to indicate their pitch.
   • A pole serving a specific purpose: A rod or stick designed for a particular use, such as a surveyor's staff or a flagstaff.

2. Verb:

   • To provide with workers or personnel: To supply an organization or office with the necessary employees.
   • To serve as a member of the working personnel: To work on the team of a particular organization or department.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The old man leaned on his wooden staff as he walked. (Referring to a walking stick.)
  • The hospital staff includes doctors, nurses, and administrators. (Referring to a group of workers.)
  • The note was written on the treble clef staff. (Referring to the musical lines.)
  • The general consulted with his staff before making a decision. (Referring to a group of advisers.)

• Verb:

  • They need to staff the new clinic with qualified professionals.
  • She staffs the information desk every Tuesday.

Advanced Usage

• "Staff of life": A literary or formal term for a basic food, especially bread, that sustains life.

  • In many cultures, bread is considered the staff of life.

• "To be on the staff": To be employed as a member of the personnel.

  • He has been on the staff of the university for twenty years.

Variants and Related Words

• Staves (n): The plural form of 'staff' when referring to sticks, poles, or musical notation.

  • The barrel was held together by iron staves.
  • The composer wrote the melody across three staves.

• Staffer (n): A member of a staff, especially in journalism or politics.

  • A congressional staffer briefed the press.

• Staffing (n): The process of providing an organization with employees.

  • The staffing of the new department will take a month.

Synonyms

• Noun (stick): Rod, pole, cane, crook.
• Noun (personnel): Employees, workforce, team, crew, personnel.
• Verb: Man, crew, equip with personnel.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Staff up: To increase the number of employees.

  • The company is staffing up for the holiday season.

• Be understaffed: To have too few employees.

  • The restaurant was understaffed and service was slow.

Related Idioms

• A skeleton staff: The minimum number of employees needed to keep a business or service operating.
  • Only a skeleton staff works in the office on public holidays.

Noun

1. (music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written
2. a rod carried as a symbol
3. building material consisting of plaster and hair; used to cover external surfaces of temporary structure (as at an exposition) or for decoration
4. the body of teachers and administrators at a school
   • the dean addressed the letter to the entire staff of the university
5. a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose
   • he walked with the help of a wooden staff
6. personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
   • the hospital has an excellent nursing staff
   • the general relied on his staff to make routine decisions

Verb

1. serve on the staff of
   • The two men staff the reception desk
2. provide with staff
   • This position is not always staffed