a special group delegated to consider some matter
"a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours"
a self-constituted organization to promote something
"The students formed a committee to promote environmental awareness on campus."
A body of one or more persons convened for the accomplishment of some specific purpose, typically with formal protocols.
"The committee spent hours debating the budget before finally approving the new project plan."
In plain English: A committee is a small group of people chosen to work together on a specific task or make decisions for a larger organization.
"The committee met to decide on the new school rules."
Usage: Use "committee" to refer to a group of people officially appointed to handle a specific task or make decisions on behalf of a larger organization. It implies a formal structure where members work together toward a shared goal rather than acting as individuals.
The word committee likely comes from combining "commit" with the suffix "-ee," though it may also be a revival of an older Anglo-Norman form meaning one who has been committed. Regardless of its specific origin, the term entered English to describe a group of people sent or appointed to handle a specific task.