superintendent
syoo-puh-rihn-TEHN-duhnt
Superintendent (noun) means a person who supervises or manages an organisation, department, or building. Example: “The superintendent of our flats unlocked the door for the engineer.”
noun
1
A person who supervises or manages an organisation, department, or building.
"The superintendent of our flats unlocked the door for the engineer."
"The school superintendent announced new budget cuts."
"The building superintendent fixed the leaking pipe."
2
A senior police rank, above chief inspector and below chief superintendent (in UK-style forces).
"The superintendent briefed the officers before they searched the area."
"My uncle retired as a superintendent after many years in the police."
"Detective Superintendent Hayes led the investigation."
How to use superintendent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone in charge of overseeing an organisation, school district, building, or police unit.
UK vs US
In the US, "superintendent" often refers to the head of a school district; in the UK it is more commonly a police rank.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like superintendent.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- superintendents
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of our flats unlocked the door for the engineer.
Etymology
From Ecclesiastical Latin superintendens, itself modelled on Greek episkopos — the same root that eventually gives English "bishop".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for superintendent
See all rhymes for superintendent →Frequently asked questions
What does “superintendent” mean?
The word “superintendent” means a person who supervises or manages an organisation, department, or building. In plain terms, someone in charge of overseeing an organisation, school district, building, or police unit.
How do you pronounce “superintendent”?
“Superintendent” is pronounced syoo-puh-rihn-TEHN-duhnt (/ˌsjuːpəɹɪnˈtɛndənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “superintendent” in a sentence?
Here is “superintendent” used in a sentence: “The school superintendent announced new budget cuts.”
What is another word for “superintendent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “superintendent” include manager, foreman, chief, head, head man and controller.
What part of speech is “superintendent”?
“Superintendent” is a noun.
Where does the word “superintendent” come from?
The word “superintendent” comes from Latin. From Ecclesiastical Latin superintendens, itself modelled on Greek episkopos — the same root that eventually gives English "bishop".
Is “superintendent” a common word?
“Superintendent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “superintendent” have?
“Superintendent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who supervises or manages an organisation, department, or building.
What is the difference between a "superintendent" and a "supervisor"?
Both oversee people or work, but a "superintendent" usually holds a higher, more managerial position with responsibility for an entire organisation, department, or building. A "supervisor" typically oversees a smaller team or a specific task and often reports to more senior managers.
What is the difference between a "superintendent" and a "janitor" or "custodian"?
A "janitor" or "custodian" mainly cleans and carries out basic maintenance, while a building "superintendent" manages the property more broadly, overseeing repairs, staff, and tenants' issues. The superintendent supervises the work and may direct custodial staff.
Where does "superintendent" rank in the UK police?
In UK-style police forces, "superintendent" is a senior rank above chief inspector and below chief superintendent. Officers at this level typically oversee larger operations or a policing area rather than day-to-day frontline duties.
