Staff Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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staff
[stæf ]
Definitions
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?
| 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.
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| employees |
Used when referring to individuals who are hired and paid by an organization. It emphasizes their status as paid workers.
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| 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.
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| personnel |
Often used in official, formal, or military contexts to refer to the people employed by an organization.
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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.
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?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| staff |
Used to refer to all employees of any organization, not just limited to a hospital or medical setting.
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| medical personnel |
Used to describe professionals directly involved in the medical care and treatment of patients. This includes doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
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| medical team |
Typically used to refer to a group of medical professionals working together on a specific case or in a particular department.
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| 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.
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Examples of usage
- The hospital staff worked tirelessly during the pandemic.
- The medical staff provided excellent care to the patients.
support
To provide with a staff of employees or helpers.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| staff |
Can also be used to describe providing an organization or department with the necessary people to function.
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| employ |
Commonly used when someone is given a job or work in exchange for payment.
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| hire |
Used when someone is given a job, typically with a hired-on-the-spot or specific point-in-time connotation.
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| recruit |
Often used in the context of finding and attracting new employees, sometimes for specific positions or roles.
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Examples of usage
- The company staffs its customer service department 24/7.
- We need to staff the event with volunteers.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
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.
Origin of 'staff'
Main points about word origin
- 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.
The word 'staff' has its origins in Old English 'stæf', which referred to a stick or rod used as a support or for walking. Over time, the word evolved to also mean a group of employees or workers. In the context of a medical facility, 'staff' specifically refers to the healthcare professionals working there. The verb form of 'staff' relates to the act of providing personnel for a particular purpose or function.
See also: staffing.