commissioner
Pluralcommissioners
- 1An official who heads a government department, especially a police force.
The commissioner ordered a full review of the department's hiring practices.
City leaders appointed a commissioner to oversee public transportation.
Similarchief, head, director, superintendent
- 2A person who serves as one of the members of an official commission.
The commissioner raised concerns about the proposed zoning changes.
Several commissioners disagreed about how to spend the grant money.
- 3A person who has been formally appointed to carry out particular duties.
The court appointed a commissioner to gather evidence from the witnesses.
Each commissioner was responsible for inspecting the bridges in one county.
Similaragent, delegate, deputy, representative
- 4A person who formally requests and pays for something to be created or carried out.
Under the contract, copyright in the family portrait belonged to the commissioner, not the painter.
The composer dedicated the string quartet to its commissioners, a couple who had paid for it as an anniversary gift.
Practice
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Origin
The word came through Middle English commissioner from Anglo-Norman commissionaire, itself from Medieval Latin commissiōnārius; it is related to "commission."