Officer Explained

An officer is a person who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization.^[1] The term derives from Old French oficier "officer, official" (early 14c., Modern French officier), from Medieval Latin officiarius "an officer," from Latin officium "a service, a duty" the late Latin from officiarius, meaning "official."^[2]

Examples

Ceremonial and other contexts

• Officer, and/or Grand Officer, are both a grade, class, or rank of within certain chivalric orders and orders of merit, e.g. Legion of Honour (France), Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Holy See), Order of the British Empire (UK), Order of Leopold (Belgium)
• Great Officer of State
• Merchant marine officer or licensed mariner
• Officer of arms
• Officer in The Salvation Army, and other state decorations

Corporations

• Bank officer
• Corporate officer, a corporate title
  • Chief executive officer (CEO)
  • Chief financial officer (CFO)
  • Chief operating officer (COO)
• Executive officer

Education

• Chief academic officer, a provost
• Sabbatical officer

Law enforcement

• Bylaw enforcement officer
• Corrections officer
• Customs officer
• Environmental Health Officer
• Officer of the court
• Parking enforcement officer
• Police officer
• Security officer

Military

• Officer (armed forces)
• Commanding officer
• Petty officer

Politics and government

• Chief Medical Officer
• Foreign Service Officer, a diplomatic officer
• Internal Service Officer, a diplomatic officer
• Presiding Officer (disambiguation)
• Returning officer

Shipping industry

• Captain (nautical), the person in charge of a merchant ship
• Chief Engineering Officer, the person in charge of the technical department on a merchant ship
• Chief officer or chief mate, typically the person in charge of the deck department of a merchant ship
• Coastguard Rescue Officer, a rescue officer employed by HM Coastguard
• Second officer or second mate, typically the navigator and medical officer on a merchant ship
• Third officer or third mate, typically the safety officer on a merchant ship
• Second Engineering Officer, the person in charge of the engine room on a merchant ship
• Third Engineering Officer, an Engineering Officer of the Watch

See also

• First Officer (disambiguation)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Heathfield. Susan. 2021-02-19. What Do Job Titles Signify on the Organization Chart?. 2021-04-12. The Balance Careers. en.
2. Web site: officer Origin and meaning of officer by Online Etymology Dictionary. 2021-04-12. www.etymonline.com. en.