a room, set of rooms, or building where the business of a commercial or industrial organization or of a professional person is conducted. the main office of an insurance company; a doctor's office. a room, set of rooms, or building where the business of a commercial or industrial organization or of a professional person is conducted. the main office of an insurance company; a doctor's office. a room assigned to a specific person or a group of persons in a commercial or industrial organization. Her office is next to mine. a room assigned to a specific person or a group of persons in a commercial or industrial organization. Her office is next to mine. a business or professional organization. He went to work in an architect's office. a business or professional organization. He went to work in an architect's office. the staff or designated part of a staff at a commercial or industrial organization. The whole office was at his wedding. the staff or designated part of a staff at a commercial or industrial organization. The whole office was at his wedding. a position of duty, trust, or authority, especially in the government, a corporation, a society, or the like. She was elected twice to the office of president. Synonyms: situation , berth , station , post a position of duty, trust, or authority, especially in the government, a corporation, a society, or the like. She was elected twice to the office of president. employment or position as an official. to seek office. employment or position as an official. to seek office. the duty, function, or part of a particular person or agency. to act in the office of adviser. Synonyms: trust , charge , responsibility the duty, function, or part of a particular person or agency. to act in the office of adviser. (initial capital letter) an operating agency or division of certain departments of the U.S. Government. Office of Community Services. (initial capital letter) an operating agency or division of certain departments of the U.S. Government. Office of Community Services. (initial capital letter) a major administrative unit or department of the national government. the Foreign Office. (initial capital letter) a major administrative unit or department of the national government. the Foreign Office. Slang. hint, signal, or warning; high sign. Slang. hint, signal, or warning; high sign. Often offices. something, whether good or bad, done or said for or to another. He obtained a position through the offices of a friend. Often offices. something, whether good or bad, done or said for or to another. He obtained a position through the offices of a friend. Ecclesiastical. the prescribed order or form for a service of the church or for devotional use. the services so prescribed. Also called divine office . the prayers, readings from Scripture, and psalms that must be recited every day by all who are in major orders. a ceremony or rite, especially for the dead. Ecclesiastical. the prescribed order or form for a service of the church or for devotional use. the prescribed order or form for a service of the church or for devotional use. the services so prescribed. the services so prescribed. Also called divine office . the prayers, readings from Scripture, and psalms that must be recited every day by all who are in major orders. Also called divine office . the prayers, readings from Scripture, and psalms that must be recited every day by all who are in major orders. a ceremony or rite, especially for the dead. a ceremony or rite, especially for the dead. a service or task to be performed; assignment; chore. little domestic offices. Synonyms: duty , work a service or task to be performed; assignment; chore. little domestic offices. Chiefly British. offices, the parts of a house, as the kitchen, pantry, or laundry, devoted mainly to household work. the stables, barns, cowhouses, etc., of a farm. Chiefly British. offices, the parts of a house, as the kitchen, pantry, or laundry, devoted mainly to household work. the parts of a house, as the kitchen, pantry, or laundry, devoted mainly to household work. the stables, barns, cowhouses, etc., of a farm. the stables, barns, cowhouses, etc., of a farm. Older Slang. privy . Older Slang. privy . a room or set of rooms in which business, professional duties, clerical work, etc, are carried out ( as modifier ) office furniture an office boy a room or set of rooms in which business, professional duties, clerical work, etc, are carried out a room or set of rooms in which business, professional duties, clerical work, etc, are carried out ( as modifier ) office furniture an office boy ( as modifier ) office furniture (often plural) the building or buildings in which the work of an organization, such as a business or government department, is carried out (often plural) the building or buildings in which the work of an organization, such as a business or government department, is carried out a commercial or professional business the architect's office approved the plans a commercial or professional business the architect's office approved the plans the group of persons working in an office it was a happy office until she came the group of persons working in an office it was a happy office until she came (capital when part of a name) (in Britain) a department of the national government the Home Office (capital when part of a name) (in Britain) a department of the national government the Home Office (capital when part of a name) a governmental agency, esp of the Federal government a subdivision of such an agency or of a department Office of Science and Technology (capital when part of a name) a governmental agency, esp of the Federal government a governmental agency, esp of the Federal government a subdivision of such an agency or of a department Office of Science and Technology a subdivision of such an agency or of a department Office of Science and Technology a position of trust, responsibility, or duty, esp in a government or organization the office of president to seek office ( in combination ) an office-holder a position of trust, responsibility, or duty, esp in a government or organization the office of president to seek office a position of trust, responsibility, or duty, esp in a government or organization

the office of president ( in combination ) an office-holder ( in combination ) an office-holder duty or function the office of an administrator duty or function the office of an administrator (often plural) a minor task or service domestic offices (often plural) a minor task or service domestic offices (often plural) an action performed for another, usually a beneficial action through his good offices (often plural) an action performed for another, usually a beneficial action through his good offices a place where tickets, information, etc, can be obtained a ticket office a place where tickets, information, etc, can be obtained a ticket office Christianity (often plural) a ceremony or service, prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities, esp one for the dead the order or form of these RC Church the official daily service short for divine office (often plural) a ceremony or service, prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities, esp one for the dead (often plural) a ceremony or service, prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities, esp one for the dead the order or form of these the order or form of these RC Church the official daily service RC Church the official daily service short for divine office short for divine office (plural) the parts of a house or estate where work is done, goods are stored, etc (plural) the parts of a house or estate where work is done, goods are stored, etc euphemistic (usually plural) a lavatory (esp in the phrase usual offices ) euphemistic (usually plural) a lavatory (esp in the phrase usual offices ) (of a government) in power (of a government) in power (of a government) out of power (of a government) out of power slang a hint or signal slang a hint or signal see box office ; front office ; land-office business ; take office . see box office ; front office ; land-office business ; take office . What is an office ? An office is a room, rooms, or a building where business is conducted, as in I gave my sister a ride to the doctor’s office. An office is also a designated room where a person does their work, as in Dr. Brown’s office is the second one on the left down the hall. Office can more generally refer to an entire business or organization, as in I got a new job at an accountant’s office. Office can also refer to a business’s entire staff or a specific part of it, as in The birthday cake was shared with the entire office. Finally, office is also a position of authority or the duties of such a position, such as The office of the President of the United States. Example: The lawyer spent most of her time at her office in the law firm rather than actually going to court. See appointment . Other Word Forms officeless adjective Inflected Forms Origin of office First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin officium “service, duty, ceremony,” presumably contraction of opificium, from opi- (combining form akin to opus opus ) + -fic- (combining form of facere “to do, make”) + -ium -ium If you have an office job, it means that you go to work in an office , or a professional business place, every day. Your office is the place you work, meeting with colleagues, sitting at a desk, and wearing sneakers on Casual Friday. The President of the United States has an office too, but it's a different kind: his or her office is a position of power. All government officials can be described as holding or taking office, which is when they assume the control and responsibilities that come with their important jobs. Vocabulary lists containing office "Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide! "The Constitution" Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use! "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 5 Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time! Example Sentences Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com. See Examples For: The Los Angeles Police Department told Bass’ office that it had erroneously issued criminal citations to vendors around MacArthur Park, Bass spokesperson Paige Sterling told The Times on Thursday. From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026 Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s presidential office, said Thursday those negotiations could restart in September. From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026 Phillips was additionally probed by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly hiring a girlfriend to intern in Collins’ office . From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2026 It is understood the investigation file relates to alleged offences including misconduct in a public office . From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026 “Regan?!” came a surprised cry, and we both jumped, looking up to see Regan’s mom standing silhouetted in the doorway of the office . From "Glitch" by Laura Martin Without the armies of aides, interns, and volunteers who answer phones in Capitol Hill offices, draft bills, and staff campaigns, lawmaking and reelection bids across the country would grind to a halt. From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2026 The company said that most of its employees work remotely, though it has offices in Brooklyn and Paris. From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026 Upstart shops are leveraging their ties to their limited partners, including family offices, to compete. From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026 With the narwhals plumbing the cold depths of the Arctic ocean, "we can sit at our warm offices and drink coffee while the data comes in," he added. From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026 He marches me down the alley and then down the street, past the living and the dead, into a building that seems to be offices, though people are sleeping here as well. From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023 Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer. You'll remember them forever.