of·fi·cial
ə-ˈfi-shəl 
ō-
1
: one who holds or is invested (see invest entry 2 sense 1) with an office : officer
government officials
A company official responded to our request.
2
: one who administers the rules of a game or sport especially as a referee or umpire
a football official
1
: of or relating to an office, position, or trust
official duties
official documents
2
: holding an office : having authority
the president's official representative
3
a
: authoritative, authorized
official statement
an official biography
b
: prescribed or recognized as authorized
an official language
c
: described by the U.S. Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary
The official drug is sold under several trade names.
4
: befitting or characteristic of a person in office
extended an official greeting
official condolences
Synonyms
Examples of official in a Sentence
Noun
She interviewed a senior official from the previous administration.
A company official responded to our request.
Adjective
She was accused of destroying official documents.
Her illness did not prevent her from performing her official duties.
The Vice President is on an official trip.
We extended an official greeting to the ambassador.
Recent Examples on the Web
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Interviews for the position of Los Angeles Police Department chief began weeks ago, but city officials have not said exactly how many candidates have applied.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2024
Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 10 July 2024
The nation's highest court ruled on June 28 in a 6-3 opinion that a federal charge of obstructing an official proceeding must include proof that a defendant tried to tamper with or destroy documents.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for official 
Noun
Texas power outage map Beryl brings flooding, prompting water rescues
Across eastern Texas, officials in multiple counties said first responders were rescuing people trapped in their cars and homes amid Hurricane Beryl's deluge.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Interviews for the position of Los Angeles Police Department chief began weeks ago, but city officials have not said exactly how many candidates have applied.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2024
Adjective
Sam Rubin's official cause of death has been revealed.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 10 July 2024
The nation's highest court ruled on June 28 in a 6-3 opinion that a federal charge of obstructing an official proceeding must include proof that a defendant tried to tamper with or destroy documents.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for official
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'official.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near official
Cite this Entry
“Official.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/official. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
official
1 of 2 noun
of·fi·cial
ə-ˈfish-əl
1
: a person who holds an office
2
: a person who enforces the rules in a game or sport
official
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to an office
official duties
2
: having authority to perform a duty
the official government of the 13 colonies
3
: prescribed or permitted by authority
the official language
an official American League baseball
4
: proper for a person in office
an official greeting
Medical Definition
official
adjective
of·fi·cial
ə-ˈfish-əl
: prescribed or recognized as authorized
specifically
: described by the United States Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary compare nonofficial, unofficial
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