1. 1. A place in which business, clerical, or professional activities are conducted.
   2. The administrative personnel, executives, or staff working in such a place.
2. A duty or function assigned to or assumed by someone. See synonyms at function.
3. A position of authority, duty, or trust given to a person, as in a government or corporation: the office of vice president.
4. 1. A subdivision of a governmental department: the U.S. Patent Office.
   2. A major executive division of a government: the British Home Office.
5. A public position: seek office.
6. offices Chiefly British. The parts of a house, such as the laundry and kitchen, in which servants carry out household work.
7. A usually beneficial act performed for another. Often used in the plural.
8. Ecclesiastical. A ceremony, rite, or service, usually prescribed by liturgy, especially:
   1. The canonical hours.
   2. A prayer service in the Anglican Church, such as Morning or Evening Prayer.
   3. A ceremony, rite, or service for a special purpose, especially the Office of the Dead.

[Middle English, from Old French, duty, from Latin officium.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.