Officials Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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officials
[əˈfɪʃ(ə)ls ]
Definitions
government
People in positions of authority within a government or organization, typically appointed rather than elected.
Synonyms
authorities, bureaucrats, executives, functionaries.
Examples of usage
- The officials have announced a new policy regarding taxes.
- The government officials are meeting with foreign diplomats.
- Local officials are responsible for maintaining public services.
- The officials are expected to make a decision soon.
- The officials are discussing the budget for the next fiscal year.
sports
A person who enforces the rules in a game or sport, especially a referee or umpire.
Synonyms
arbitrator, judge, referee, umpire.
Examples of usage
- The soccer match had three officials to ensure fair play.
- The basketball officials made a controversial call that led to protests.
- The tennis official signaled a fault in the serve.
- The boxing official declared the match a draw.
- The officials are reviewing the play to make a decision.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Government
- In modern democracies, officials can be elected, like mayors and governors, or appointed, like judges and ambassadors.
- Political officials often have specific roles defined by their office, affecting local, state, or national policies.
- Many countries maintain accountability systems for officials, like audits and public reporting, to ensure transparency.
Education
- In schools, officials like principals and superintendents help create rules and manage staff and students.
- Educational officials work on policies that affect student learning, funding, and school schedules.
- They often collaborate with teachers and parents to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.
Pop Culture
- Officials often appear in fictional media, portrayed as either heroes or villains, reflecting the views on authority.
- Many shows and movies incorporate the challenges faced by officials, such as dilemmas and moral complexities.
- In video games, players might encounter officials as characters influencing their adventures and decisions.
Science
- Scientific organizations have officials who manage research, funding, and ethical standards in experiments.
- Health officials play crucial roles in public health, guiding policies during health crises, such as pandemics.
- Environmental officials work on regulations to protect ecosystems and ensure sustainable practices.
Origin of 'officials'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'official' comes from the Latin 'officialis', meaning 'of a duty' or 'pertaining to a service'.
- It evolved through Middle French forms before entering English in the late 14th century, emphasizing roles of authority.
- Originally, it referred to someone holding a specific duty or office within a structure.
The word 'officials' comes from the Latin word 'officialis', meaning 'of or belonging to duty, service, or office'. It has been used in English since the late 14th century to refer to persons holding a position of authority. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various contexts, including government officials and sports officials.
See also: official, officialdom, officialization, officially, unofficial, unofficially.