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Staff: meaning, definitions and examples

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staff

 

[stæf ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

at work

All the employees of a particular organization. The people who work for an organization.

Synonyms

employees, personnel, workforce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
staff

Used when referring to a group of people working together in a professional setting, particularly in a specific department or organization.

  • The school staff are organizing a charity event
  • The medical staff at the hospital are very attentive
employees

Used when referring to individuals who are hired and paid by an organization. It emphasizes their status as paid workers.

  • The company has over 500 employees
  • All employees are required to attend the annual training session
workforce

Refers to the overall group of people who are available for work or are currently employed, generally used in a broader economic or organizational context.

  • The company is looking to increase its workforce next year
  • The local workforce has gained new skills through training programs
personnel

Often used in official, formal, or military contexts to refer to the people employed by an organization.

  • The personnel department is handling the recruitment process
  • Military personnel must follow strict protocols

Examples of usage

  • The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful.
  • She manages a team of 20 staff members.
  • The company is looking to hire more staff for the busy season.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

Doctors, nurses, and other people who work in a hospital or medical clinic.

Synonyms

hospital workers, medical personnel, medical team.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
staff

Used to refer to all employees of any organization, not just limited to a hospital or medical setting.

  • The staff at the hotel were very helpful.
  • Our office staff is working overtime to meet the deadline.
medical personnel

Used to describe professionals directly involved in the medical care and treatment of patients. This includes doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

  • Medical personnel must wear protective equipment at all times.
  • In emergency situations, medical personnel are the first responders.
medical team

Typically used to refer to a group of medical professionals working together on a specific case or in a particular department.

  • The medical team performed a successful heart surgery.
  • Each patient is assigned a dedicated medical team.
hospital workers

Refers specifically to all individuals employed by a hospital, covering a wide range of roles including doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and maintenance workers.

  • Hospital workers are facing increased stress due to the pandemic.
  • The hospital workers went on strike demanding better wages.

Examples of usage

  • The hospital staff worked tirelessly during the pandemic.
  • The medical staff provided excellent care to the patients.
Context #3 | Verb

support

To provide with a staff of employees or helpers.

Synonyms

employ, hire, recruit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
staff

Can also be used to describe providing an organization or department with the necessary people to function.

  • We need to staff the new branch office properly.
  • They staffed the help desk with experienced customer service representatives.
employ

Commonly used when someone is given a job or work in exchange for payment.

  • The company employs over 500 people worldwide.
  • She was employed as a teacher at the elementary school.
hire

Used when someone is given a job, typically with a hired-on-the-spot or specific point-in-time connotation.

  • They decided to hire a new manager for the project.
  • We need to hire more staff to handle the holiday rush.
recruit

Often used in the context of finding and attracting new employees, sometimes for specific positions or roles.

  • The company is currently recruiting recent graduates.
  • We recruited several volunteers to help with the event.

Examples of usage

  • The company staffs its customer service department 24/7.
  • We need to staff the event with volunteers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'staef', meaning a stick or rod, often used to support or guide.
  • In Middle English, the term evolved to represent both a physical stick and a group of people working together.

Literature

  • In many stories, characters use a staff as a symbol of authority or power, like wizards or leaders guiding their followers.
  • The staff is often associated with guidance, as in the phrase 'staff of life', which indicates something essential for survival.

Pop Culture

  • In various movies and shows, wizards often wield a staff, using it to cast spells or provide protection.
  • Sports teams often refer to their coaching group as the 'coaching staff', emphasizing teamwork and strategy.

Science

  • In biology, the term 'staff' can refer to specialized groups in an organization, like a research staff working on important projects.
  • It’s also used in medicine, as in the 'medical staff' who work together to care for patients in a hospital.

Psychology

  • The concept of staff dynamics can illustrate the importance of teamwork and cooperation for workplace success.
  • Studies show that having a supportive staff can enhance employee well-being and productivity, highlighting the value of collaborative environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "staff" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pessoal

🇮🇳 कर्मचारी

🇩🇪 Personal

🇮🇩 staf

🇺🇦 персонал

🇵🇱 personel

🇯🇵 スタッフ

🇫🇷 personnel

🇪🇸 personal

🇹🇷 personel

🇰🇷 직원

🇸🇦 طاقم

🇨🇿 personál

🇸🇰 personál

🇨🇳 员工

🇸🇮 osebje

🇮🇸 starfsfólk

🇰🇿 қызметкерлер

🇬🇪 პერსონალი

🇦🇿 heyət

🇲🇽 personal

Word Frequency Rank

At #779 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.