Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb To perform the duties and functions of an office or a position of authority.
  • intransitive verb To serve as an officiant.
  • intransitive verb Sports To serve as a referee or umpire.
  • intransitive verb To perform from a position of authority (an official duty or function).
  • intransitive verb To serve as an officiant at (a ceremony).
  • intransitive verb To serve as a referee or umpire at (a game).

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To perform official duties; perform such formal acts, duties, or ceremonies as pertain to an office or post; serve.
  • To perform or take part in.
  • To supply; give out.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • intransitive verb To act as an officer in performing a duty; to transact the business of an office or public trust; to conduct a public ceremony or service.
  • transitive verb obsolete To discharge, perform, or supply, as an official duty or function.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb intransitive, transitive To perform the functions of some office.
  • verb intransitive, transitive, sports To serve as umpire or referee.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb act in an official capacity in a ceremony or religious ritual, such as a wedding
  • verb perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Medieval Latin officiāre, officiāt-, to conduct, from Latin officium, service, duty; see office.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Circa 17th Century, from Medieval Latin officiātus, perfect passive participle of officiō ("conduct or perform religious services"), from Latin officium ("official duty, service").

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Examples

  • Yeah, and I'd say they "officiate" more than they "judge" anyway, so election official is an accurate description.

    Coleman Campaign Rejects Election Official's Ballot 2009

  • A German "woman bishop", who alledgedly had been ordained by an unnamed sympathetic real bishop, will "officiate" at tomorrow's ceremony.

    Archive 2006-07-30 Terry Nelson 2006

  • A German "woman bishop", who alledgedly had been ordained by an unnamed sympathetic real bishop, will "officiate" at tomorrow's ceremony.

    Oh Ladyeeeeeeeeeeee... Terry Nelson 2006

  • The primary focus of interest was as to who would "officiate" during his hospitalisation.

    The Hindu - Front Page 2009

  • The primary focus of interest is who would "officiate" during his hospitalisation.

    Top Stories - Google News 2009

  • Benson D-Prince George's said she grew up watching her father officiate over weddings and came to believe that such unions should be reserved for people who can have children.

    Md.'s top leaders cross Catholic hierarchy on gay marriage 2011

  • I think the official should never be allowed to officiate another game in the Atlantic 10, in college basketball, in the United States.

    GW professor tossed from home finale 2011

  • Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Congregation Beit Simchat set up a tent across the street to officiate Jewish ceremonies.

    For Same-Sex City Couples, Day 1 of 'I Do' Andrew Grossman 2011

  • Reggie Buddle, the man who posed as a combat-decorated Marine and military chaplain, wasn't authorized to officiate at veterans 'funerals, recruit new Marines, perform their marriages or baptize them before they went to Iraq, but for one family, he managed to do all four.

    Reggie Buddle 2010

  • Benson D-Prince George's said she grew up watching her father officiate over weddings and came to believe that such unions should be reserved for people who can have children.

    Md.'s top leaders cross Catholic hierarchy on gay marriage 2011

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