place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
"he rented an office in the new building"
an administrative unit of government
"the Central Intelligence Agency"
"the Census Bureau"
"Office of Management and Budget"
"Tennessee Valley Authority"
professional or clerical workers in an office
"the whole office was late the morning of the blizzard"
a religious rite or service prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities
"the offices of the mass"
A ceremonial duty or service
"The king appointed his eldest son to hold the office of regent while he was away on campaign."
The authorized form of ceremonial worship of a church.
"The parish priest prepared to celebrate the office at dawn on Christmas morning."
In plain English: An office is a room where people work, usually with desks and computers.
"She walked to her office to answer emails before lunch."
Usage: Use "office" as a noun to refer to a formal position of responsibility or authority within an organization, such as holding the office of mayor. Avoid confusing this with its other meaning for a room where administrative work is done when you simply need to describe a physical workspace.
To provide (someone) with an office.
"The CEO finally decided to promote the young manager and officially give him a corner office on the top floor."
In plain English: To office means to officially appoint someone to a job or position of authority.
"He decided to office on behalf of his constituents during the election campaign."
Usage: The verb form of "office" means to serve in a specific role or capacity, such as to act as a counselor or guide. Do not use it to mean providing someone with a physical room or job position; instead, say that you appointed them to an office or gave them a position.
The word office comes from the Latin officium, which originally referred to a personal or official duty. It entered English through Middle French and Old French, evolving from a root meaning "work" combined with a suffix indicating action.