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verb

officiate

uh-FEESH-ee-ayt

Officiate (verb) means to perform the official duties of a position, especially presiding over a ceremony. Example: “Her uncle officiated at the wedding.”

verb
1
To perform the official duties of a position, especially presiding over a ceremony.
"Her uncle officiated at the wedding."
2
To act as a referee or umpire in a sports match.
"He has officiated professional football games for over a decade."

How to use officiate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo formally run or preside over an event — a wedding, ceremony, or sports match.

Common pairings
officiate a wedding officiate a game officiate a ceremony

Word forms

officiated past tense, officiates plural, officiates singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her uncle _____ at the wedding.

Etymology

From Late Latin officiare, "to perform a function", from officium, "duty, service".

Origin: Late Latin

Related words

Rhymes for officiate

See all rhymes for officiate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “officiate” mean?

The word “officiate” means to perform the official duties of a position, especially presiding over a ceremony. In plain terms, to formally run or preside over an event — a wedding, ceremony, or sports match.

How do you pronounce “officiate”?

“Officiate” is pronounced uh-FEESH-ee-ayt (/əˈfiʃ.i.eɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “officiate” in a sentence?

Here is “officiate” used in a sentence: “Her uncle officiated at the wedding.”

What part of speech is “officiate”?

“Officiate” is a verb.

Where does the word “officiate” come from?

The word “officiate” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin officiare, "to perform a function", from officium, "duty, service".

How many meanings does “officiate” have?

“Officiate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to perform the official duties of a position, especially presiding over a ceremony.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial