Theombudsman is an independent official who has been appointed to investigate complaints that people make against the government or public organizations.
The leaflet explains how to complain to the banking ombudsman.
ombudsman in British English
(ˈɒmbʊdzmən)
nounWord forms: plural-men
1.
a commissioner who acts as independent referee between individual citizens and their government or its administration
2.
(in Britain) an official, without power of sanction or mechanism of appeal, who investigates complaints of maladministration by members of the public against national or local government or its servants
Formal names: Commissioner for Local Administration, Health Service Commissioner, Parliamentary Commissioner. See also Financial Ombudsman
a public official appointed to investigate citizens' complaints against governmentagencies or officials that may be infringing on the rights of individuals
2.
a person employed by an institution to investigate complaints against it
Word origin
Swed < ombud, a deputy, representative (< ON umboth < um, umbe, about < IE *mbhi-, var. of *ambhi-, around, on both sides (> ambi-) + ON bjotha, to offer, bid, akin to OE beodan: see bid1 + man, UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'ombudsman' in a sentence
ombudsman
The ombudsman also deals with huge numbers of inquiries from consumers with money worries.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is essential that we have an effective regulator and an ombudsman to deal with complaints.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But he is prepared to consider the possibility of an independent ombudsman to oversee the complaints procedure.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She then went to the local government ombudsman.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The study coincides with a sharp rise in complaints to the local government ombudsman about conditions in residential care.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is no mention of an independent regulator or ombudsman to police the industry or a proper independent complaints process.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The retail ombudsman expects to deal with about 170,000 complaints next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Ombudsman services can deal with issues involving sums of less than 1,000.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His outburst follows complaints made by German soldiers to the official ombudsman about their tours abroad.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It recommends appointing an independent ombudsman for the benefits and employment services who could look at complaints and assess whether the system was fair.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Set against them are highly paid representatives of financial companies, who often spend their whole time dealing with the ombudsman.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He said that the introduction of an independent ombudsman to deal with complaints was'absolutely essential '.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If the council has not followed a policy for consulting neighbours, you should have grounds for making a formal complaint to the local government ombudsman.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In addition, from some point next year, passengers will be able to refer their delay complaints to an independent ombudsman.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Getting nowhere, I finally complained to the independent energy ombudsman.
The Sun (2015)
A request for access to the money was rebuffed, as was a ruling in her favour by the German banking ombudsman.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
ombudsman
British English: ombudsman NOUN
The ombudsman is an independent official who investigates complaints that people make against the government or public organizations.
The leaflet explains how to complain to the banking ombudsman.