Definition of office noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary



    , NAmE//ˈɑfəs//
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  1. 1[countable] 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 Topic CollocationsJobsgetting a job look for work look for/apply for/go for a job get/pick up/complete/fill out an application (form) send/e-mail your résumé/CV/application/application form/cover letter be called for/have/attend an interview offer somebody a job/work/employment/a promotion find/get/land a job employ/hire/recruit staff/workers/trainees recruit/appoint a managerdoing a job arrive at/get to/leave work/the office/the factory start/finish work/your shift do/put in/work overtime have/gain/get/lack/need experience/qualifications do/get/have/receive training learn/pick up/improve/develop (your) skills cope with/manage/share/spread/delegate the workload improve your/achieve a better work-life balance have (no) job satisfaction/job securitybuilding a career have a job/work/a career/a vocation find/follow/pursue your vocation enter/go into/join a profession choose/embark on/start/begin/pursue a career change jobs/professions/careers be/go/work freelance do/take on temp work/freelance work do/be engaged in/be involved in volunteer workleaving your job leave/quit/resign from your job give up work/your job/your career hand in your notice/resignation plan to/be due to retire in June/next year, etc. take early retirement see also back office, head office
  2. 2[countable] a room in which a particular person works, usually at a desk Some people have to share an office. Come into my office.
  3. 3 [countable] a place where a doctor, dentist, or veterinarian sees patients a doctor's/dentist's office
  4. 4[countable] (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
  5. important position
  6. 5 [uncountable, countable] an important position of authority, especially in government; the work and duties connected with this She held office as governor for eight years. How long has he been in office? The former senator has been out of office for many years. The present incumbent took office in 2009. to seek/run for office the office of treasurer Topic CollocationsVoting in Electionsrunning for election conduct/hold an election/a referendum run for office/election/governor/mayor/president/the White House enter/run in/withdraw from the primary/Senate/gubernatorial race represent the Democrats/the Republican Party hold/contest a local/mid-term/primary/national election launch/run a presidential (election) campaign support/back a candidate sway/convince/persuade voters/the electorate appeal to/attract/woo/target/pander to swing voters fix/rig/steal an election/the votevoting go to/be turned away from a polling place/station cast a/your vote/ballot (for somebody) vote for the Republican candidate/the Democratic ticket mark/spoil your ballot paper count the early/absentee ballots go to/be defeated at the ballot box get/win/receive/lose votes get/win (60% of) the popular/black/Hispanic/Latino vote win power/the election/the primary/a senate seat/a majority lose an election/the vote/your majority/your seat win/come to power in a landslide (victory) (= with many more votes than any other party) elect/reelect somebody (as) mayor/president/congressman/congresswoman/a Senator/a Representativetaking power be sworn into office/in as president take/administer the oath of office give/deliver the inaugural address take/enter/hold/leave office appoint somebody (as) ambassador/governor/minister/a federal judge/a Supreme Court justice form a government/a cabinet serve two terms as president/in office ⇨ more collocations at economy, politics
  7. government department
  8. 6 Office [singular] used in the names of some government departments the Office of Management and Budget
  9. Idioms
    through somebody's good offices(formal)
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    with someone's help
See the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary entry: office