superintendent

1 of 2

noun

su·​per·​in·​ten·​dent ˌsü-p(ə-)rin-ˈten-dənt 

ˌsü-pərn-

: one who has executive oversight and charge

superintendent

2 of 2

adjective

: having executive oversight and charge of something : of, relating to, or being a superintendent

superintendent [=supervising] powers

a superintendent officer

The wedding will take place three days after our return to England, by special license, at the office of the district superintendent registrar, in the presence of my solicitor and his clerk, who, like his clients, will be in ordinary walking dress.

—George Bernard Shaw

Synonyms

Noun

• administrant
• administrator
• archon
• director
• exec
• executive
• manager
• supervisor

Examples of superintendent in a Sentence

Noun

the office of the superintendent of parks issues camping permits

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At the conclusion of an investigation, COPA will submit its findings and recommendations to the CPD superintendent. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

The superintendent did not identify the suspect but described them as a school assistant. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025

Adjective

The school board had received about a dozen applications from superintendent candidates over 10 days, starting on Jan. 23, before selecting Molinar. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2025

Bean ran for the superintendent position against Mijares in 2022, but ultimately lost. —Annika Bahnsen, Orange County Register, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin superintendent-, superintendens, from Late Latin, present participle of superintendere

First Known Use

Noun

1554, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1566, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing superintendent

• sidewalk superintendent

Rhymes for superintendent

• interdependent
• appendant
• ascendant
• attendant
• defendant
• dependant
• dependent
• descendant
• descendent
• intendant
• resplendent
• transcendent

Kids Definition

superintendent

noun

su·​per·​in·​ten·​dent ˌsü-p(ə-)rin-ˈten-dənt 

ˌsü-pərn-

: a person who directs, manages, or maintains something

Legal Definition

superintendent

noun

su·​per·​in·​ten·​dent

: one who has the oversight and charge of a place, institution, department, organization, or operation

specifically : the executive head of a police department