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

The couple then exchanged traditional vows in a short outdoor ceremony officiated by Wilson’s father. —Erin Clack, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

The two tied the knot in a low-key ceremony officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator in 2020. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024

There were several controversial calls by the officiating crew that worked in Eau Gallie’s favor, including double 15-yard penalties on the same play during Eau Gallie’s winning touchdown drive. —Staff Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024

Watching the monitor, the officiating crew concluded that one second needed to be put back on the clock. —Doug Haller, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 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