Office Meaning

UK /ˈɒfɪs/
US /ˈɔːfɪs/
Word Definition
office meaning

Office Definition & Usage

noun

A place where professional or business activities are carried out.

Examples

  • "She works in a large office downtown."
  • "The office will be closed for the holidays."
  • "After the meeting, everyone returned to their offices."
  • "My office has a beautiful view of the city skyline."
  • "He was promoted and moved to a bigger office on the upper floor."
noun

A department or function within an organization or institution.

Examples

  • "She is in charge of the marketing office."
  • "The HR office is located on the third floor."
  • "I need to speak with someone from the accounting office."
  • "The sales office is handling all customer inquiries."
  • "The IT office has been working on upgrading the system."
noun

A position of responsibility or authority within an organization.

Examples

  • "He has held the office of mayor for two terms."
  • "The office of president is up for election next year."
  • "She was elected to office after a tough campaign."
  • "His office oversees several key government programs."
  • "The office of the CEO is located on the top floor."
noun

A specific duty or function carried out by someone.

Examples

  • "It's his office to handle client complaints."
  • "She took office in the spring and started implementing new policies."
  • "The office of the ambassador involves a lot of diplomatic work."
  • "The task is not part of my office, but I can help with it."
  • "He has been given the office of managing director."

Cultural Context

The word 'office' originates from the Latin 'officium', meaning duty or service. It was first used in the 14th century to describe a position of service or a formal role, particularly in the context of public administration or service to a king or ruler.

The Office in Transition

Story

The Office in Transition

As Sarah walked into her office on the 10th floor, she couldn't help but think about how much had changed in the past few years. Just a few years ago, she had been working in a cramped corner with barely enough room for her desk. Now, her office was spacious, with sleek furniture and a breathtaking view of the city skyline. But it wasn't just the physical space that had changed; Sarah herself had changed too. She had been promoted from an entry-level role to an office manager, overseeing the daily operations of the department. In her new office, Sarah had to navigate the complex responsibilities that came with her position. She found herself in meetings with upper management, coordinating office-wide projects, and even stepping into the role of mediator when conflicts arose. It was her office now to ensure that everything ran smoothly. On the other side of the building, Tom was struggling to keep up with his own office responsibilities. As head of the marketing office, he had a team of creative professionals who were working around the clock to launch a new campaign. But with tight deadlines and rising pressure, Tom began to wonder if he had made the right choice when he accepted the position. The office was buzzing with energy, but the stress was starting to wear on him. One afternoon, Sarah dropped by Tom's office to check in. She had heard about the challenges he was facing and wanted to offer some support. 'Tom,' she said, 'I know what it's like. When I first took office as manager, I was overwhelmed too. But the key is to delegate. You don’t have to do everything yourself.' Tom smiled, grateful for her advice. It was comforting to know that even someone in her position had struggled in the beginning. As the months went by, Sarah's understanding of what 'office' meant evolved. It wasn't just about the space she worked in, but also the role she played, the people she worked with, and the responsibilities that came with her title. In the end, she realized that the true value of her office was not in the desk or the view, but in her ability to lead, influence, and contribute to the success of her team. The office had changed, but Sarah had changed with it.

The Office in Transition