1. a person who is in a position of authority in the armed forces
- army/air-force/naval, etc. officers
- a commissioned/non-commissioned officer
- The matter was passed on to me, as your commanding officer.
see also flying officer, petty officer, pilot officer, warrant officer
2. (often in compounds) a person who is in a position of authority in the government or a large organization
- an environmental health officer
- a customs/prison/welfare officer
- officers of state (= ministers in the government)
see also chief executive officer, medical officer, press officer, probation officer, returning officer
See related entries: Job titles
3. (often used as a form of address)
= police officer
- the officer in charge of the case
- the investigating officer
- Yes, officer, I saw what happened.
See related entries: The police
4. (North American English) a title for a police officer
- Officer Dibble