/ ˈɒfɪs; NAmE ˈɔːf-; ˈɑːf-/ noun
ROOM / BUILDING
1.
[ C ] a room, set of rooms or building where people work, usually sitting at desks :
The company is moving to new offices on the other side of town.
Are you going to the office today?
an office job
office workers
—see also back office , head office
2.
[ C ] a room in which a particular person works, usually at a desk :
Some people have to share an office.
Come into my office.
3.
( NAmE ) = surgery :
a doctor's / dentist's office
4.
[ C ] (often in compounds) a room or building used for a particular purpose, especially to provide information or a service :
the local tourist office
a ticket office
—see also box office , registry office
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT
5.
Office [ C ] used in the names of some British government departments :
the Foreign Office
the Home Office
IMPORTANT POSITION
6.
[ U , C ] an important position of authority, especially in government; the work and duties connected with this :
She held office as a cabinet minister for ten years.
How long has he been in office ?
The party has been out of office (= has not formed a government) for many years.
The present government took office in 2005.
to seek / run for office
( BrE )
to stand for office
the office of treasurer
•
IDIOMS
- through sb's good offices
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin officium performance of a task (in medieval Latin also office, divine service), based on opus work + facere do.