officiate

verb

of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfi-shē-ˌāt 

officiated; officiating

intransitive verb

1

: to perform a ceremony, function, or duty

officiate at a wedding

2

: to act in an official capacity : act as an official (as at a sports contest)

transitive verb

1

: to carry out (an official duty or function)

2

: to serve as a leader or celebrant of (a ceremony)

3

: to administer the rules of (a game or sport) especially as a referee or umpire

officiation

ə-ˌfi-shē-ˈā-shən 

noun

Examples of officiate in a Sentence

The bishop officiated the memorial Mass.

Two referees officiated the hockey game.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sam Waterston, Munn's costar from The Newsroom, officiated. —Esther Kang, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

According to the National Federation of High School Sports, only 2 of every 10 officials return for their third year of officiating. —C. R. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024

The cherry on top of this sweet love story is that Greg’s father, Judge Greg Mathis Sr., and Elliot’s father, Sergeant Calvin Cooper, officiated the wedding ceremony. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 Oct. 2024

Zach’s triplet, Lindsay, officiated their ceremony as their family and friends watched on from abstract floral chairs as well as wire and wooden benches. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin officiātus, past participle of officiāre "to perform a function, perform priestly duties," going back to Late Latin officiārī "to perform a function," derivative of Latin officium "duty, office"

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

officiate

verb

of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfish-ē-ˌāt 

officiated; officiating

1

: to perform a ceremony

officiate at a wedding

2

: to act as an officer

officiated at the annual meeting

3

: to enforce the rules of (a game or sport)

officiate a soccer match