Committee: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：group assembled for a task (committee)

committee 🔊

/kəˈmɪti/

A group of people chosen to discuss matters, make decisions, or carry out a specific task.

Committee meeting illustration showing a diverse group collaborating around a table with documents and a whiteboard.

group assembled for a task 🔊

➕

/ɡruːp əˈsembəld fɔːr ə tɑːsk/

A formal group of people selected or appointed to perform a specific function, such as making decisions, investigating issues, or managing projects within an organization.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'com-' (together) + 'mittere' (to send), through French 'commettre' (to entrust), meaning 'a group entrusted'.

💡 Mnemonic

COMes together to commIT to a TAsk.

📖 Example

The school formed a committee of students and teachers to promote recycling on campus. 🔊 A group of students and teachers was assembled at the school to work on increasing recycling efforts.

🔗 Collocations

serve on a committee – to be an active member of a committee

committee meeting – a scheduled gathering of a committee's members

form a committee – to create or establish a new committee

🔄 Synonyms

panel (n.) – A group of experts or judges assembled to make a decision or judgment.

board (n.) – A group of people having supervisory or advisory powers, often over an organization.

council (n.) – An assembly or advisory group brought together for consultation or decision-making.

🚫 Antonyms

individual (n.) – A single person as opposed to a group.

unofficial group (n.) – An informal gathering without formal appointment or mandate.

🌱 Derivatives

subcommittee (n.) – A smaller committee formed from a main committee to focus on a specific area.

committeeman/committeewoman (n.) – A member of a committee.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English in the 15th century from Anglo-French 'comité', originally meaning 'person(s) entrusted'. It reflects the legal and administrative tradition of delegating authority to a smaller, specialized group within a larger organization or parliament.