staff

noun

UK /stɑːf/

Word Forms

singular	staff
plural	staffs

1
singular/uncountable the people who work for a particular company, organization, or institution: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
It is a small hospital with a staff of just over a hundred.
The staff are not happy about the new arrangement.
full-time/part-time staff:
The embassy employs around 50 people on its full-time staff.
join the staff:
She joined the staff in 1996.
a member of staff:
Peter became a very valued member of staff.
Synonyms and related words
Workers considered as a group
staff
profession
people
1. 1a
  the ordinary workers, not the managers: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  We need better communication between management and staff.
  Synonyms and related words
  Workers considered as a group
  staff
  profession
  people
2. 1b
  the people who do paid work in a place, rather than the other people there: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  Staff and residents enjoyed the show.
  recreational facilities for students and staff
  Synonyms and related words
  Workers considered as a group
  staff
  profession
  people
3. 1c
  only before nounrelating to the staff
  a staff restaurant/canteen
  a staff shortage:
  They blame staff shortages for the delay.
  Synonyms and related words
  Workers considered as a group
  staff
  profession
  people
2
countable a stick that some officials carry on formal occasions
a staff of office
Synonyms and related words
People and objects involved in ceremonies
baton
bearer
cavalcade
1. 2a
  a long stick used for making walking easier, used mainly in the past
  Synonyms and related words
  Bandages, supports and other dressings
  bandage
  Band-Aid
  brace
2. 2b
  a flagpole
  Synonyms and related words
  Flags
  at half-mast
  Blue Peter
  bunting
3
countable musicthe set of lines on which music is written
Synonyms and related words
Instructions and annotations in music
adagio
allegro
andante

phrases

the nursing/teaching/medical etc staff

staff

noun

US /stæf/

Word Forms

singular	staff
plural	staffs

1
singular/uncountable the people who work for a particular company, organization, or institution
It is a small hospital with a staff of just over a hundred.
The staff is not happy about the new arrangement.
join the staff:
She joined the staff in 1996.
full-time/part-time staff:
The embassy employs around 50 people on its full-time staff.
a member of the staff:
Peter became a very valued member of the staff.
Synonyms and related words
Workers considered as a group
labor
staff
profession
1. 1a
  the ordinary workers, not the managers
  We need better communication between management and staff.
  Synonyms and related words
  Workers considered as a group
  labor
  staff
  profession
2. 1b
  only before nounrelating to the staff
  a staff cafeteria/lounge
  a staff shortage:
  They blame staff shortages for the delay.
  Synonyms and related words
  Workers considered as a group
  labor
  staff
  profession
3. 1c
  the people who do paid work in a place, rather than the other people there
  recreational facilities for students and staff
  Synonyms and related words
  Workers considered as a group
  labor
  staff
  profession
2
countable musicthe set of lines on which music is written
Synonyms and related words
Instructions and annotations in music
adagio
allegro
andante
3
countable a long stick used for making walking easier, used mainly in the past
Synonyms and related words
Bandages, supports and other dressings
bandage
Band-Aid
brace
1. 3a
  a flagpole
  at half staff
  Synonyms and related words
  Flags
  at half-mast
  Blue Peter
  bunting
2. 3b
  a stick that some officials carry on formal occasions
  a staff of office
  Synonyms and related words
  People and objects involved in ceremonies
  baton
  bearer
  cavalcade

phrases

the nursing/teaching/medical etc. staff

staff

verb transitive

UK /stɑːf/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	staff
he/she/it	staffs
present participle	staffing
past tense	staffed
past participle	staffed

1
to provide an organization with the workers that it needs
fully staffed (=with enough people working):
The outer office must be fully staffed at all times.
Synonyms and related words
To employ someone
employ
appoint
take on
2
to be a worker in an organization
It is a well-managed centre staffed by qualified and professional people.
Synonyms and related words
To work, and to work in a particular way
work
serve
collaborate

staff

verb transitive

US /stæf/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	staff
he/she/it	staffs
present participle	staffing
past tense	staffed
past participle	staffed

1
to provide an organization with the workers that it needs
fully staffed (=with enough people working):
The receptionist’s office must be fully staffed at all times.
Synonyms and related words
To employ someone
employ
appoint
take on
2
to be a worker in an organization
It is a well-managed office staffed by qualified and professional people.
Many thanks to all those who baked cakes and staffed the booth.
Synonyms and related words
To work, and to work in a particular way
work
serve
collaborate

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