committee

noun

com·​mit·​tee kə-ˈmi-tē How to pronounce committee (audio)
 sense 2 also  ˌkä-mi-ˈtē
1
a
: a body of persons delegated to consider, investigate, take action on, or report on some matter
an advisory committee
specifically : a group of fellow legislators chosen by a legislative body to give consideration to legislative matters
The bill has been sent back to committee.
b
: a self-constituted organization for the promotion of a common object
the Olympic Committee
the Northwest Wildlife Committee
c
US sports, informal : a group of players on a team who share a particular role in the team's play instead of having an individual player principally assigned to that role
After going with a committee of running backs last season, the Chiefs were hoping Bam Morris would be able to go the full 16 games as the feature runner, something he has never done in his career.Bob Fedas
2
archaic : a person to whom a charge or trust is committed

Examples of committee in a Sentence

We're waiting for recommendations from the advisory committee. The bill has been referred back to committee.
Recent Examples on the Web An Assembly committee held two hearings last week, with another set for Thursday. Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 The committee issued several recommendations, including enhancing planning and coordination, communication and expanding intelligence assets and resources. Nikole Killion, CBS News, 25 Sep. 2024 Not only does the Ghost Train need maintenance, but the committee needs money to pay for the service calls, which can each cost around $4,000, Rabinowitz said. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2024 The committee also highlighted a March study from researchers at Yale University found these drugs could be made for less than $5 a month, or $57 per year. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for committee 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'committee.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English commyttee, from committen "to commit" + -ee -ee entry 1

Note: Stress on the penultimate syllable is perhaps by association with Latin comitia comitia.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of committee was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near committee

Cite this Entry

“Committee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/committee. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

committee

noun
com·​mit·​tee kə-ˈmit-ē How to pronounce committee (audio)
: a group of persons appointed or elected to consider or take action on some matter
a legislative committee

Legal Definition

committee

noun
com·​mit·​tee
1
: a person to whom a charge (as an incompetent) is committed compare conservator, curator, guardian, tutor
2
a
: a body of persons delegated or assigned to consider, investigate, act on, or report on some matter
especially : a group of fellow legislators chosen by a legislative body to consider legislative matters (as drafting bills or conducting hearings)
the Senate judiciary committee
see also conference committee, joint committee
b
: a private organization for the promotion of a common object
political action committees
compare council

More from Merriam-Webster on committee

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