officiate

Everyday

1. (church) To officiate at a wedding, funeral or service is to lead it as a priest, minister or official. tree →
2. (sport) To officiate a match is to be the referee, umpire or judge. tree →

In the lessons

In church life: «The vicar officiated at my cousin's wedding.» In sport: referees and umpires officiate games. It tells the reader who is in charge of a ceremony or game.

Examples

• The minister officiated at the funeral. tree →
• Father Michael will officiate at the wedding. tree →
• Two referees officiated the basketball game. tree →
• A registrar officiated at the town hall wedding. tree →
• Who is officiating today's match? tree →
• The bishop officiated at the confirmation service. tree →
• The officiating priests wore black robes, and were crowned with cypress. tree →

Note

Formal word. Usually «officiate at» a ceremony; in sport «officiate» or «officiate at» a match. Person who officiates: an official (referee, priest, registrar).