office Definition

office
noun

1. The room, set of rooms or building in which the business of a firm is done, or in which a particular kind of business, clerical work, etc is done.

Thesaurus: room, agency, bureau, facility, suite.
2. A local centre or department of a large business.
3. A position of authority, especially in the government or in public service.

Example: run for office
4a. The length of time for which an official position is held;
4b. Said of a political party: the length of time for which it forms the government.

Example: in office
Example: hold office
5. A government department.

Example: the Home Office
Form: Office
6. The group of people working in an office.
7. A function or duty.

Thesaurus: profession, job, employment, occupation, business, duty, function, performance, province, service.
8. An act of kindness or service.

Example: through her good offices
Form: offices (usually)
9. An authorized form of Christian worship or service, especially one for the dead. See also divine office.

Form: Office (often)
10. The parts of a large house, estate or farm given over to household work or storage, etc.

Form: offices
11. euphemistic, slang
A lavatory.
Form: usual offices (especially)

Idiom: give the office

slang
To give a signal or hint.

Etymology: 13c: from Latin officium favour, duty or service, from opus work or service + facere to do.