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of·fi·cial

ə'fiʃəl

--noun (singular: official; plural: officials)

1. someone who administers the rules of a game or sport.
  • "The golfer asked for an official who could give him a ruling."
2. functionary: a worker who holds or is invested with an office.

--adj.

3. having official authority or sanction.
  • "Official permission."
4. of or relating to an office.
  • "Official privileges."

--adj.

5. verified officially.
  • "The election returns are now official."
6. conforming to set usage, procedure, or discipline.
7. of a church given official status as a national or state institution.
c.1250, from Latin officialis "attendant to a magistrate, public official", noun use of officialis (adj.) "of or belonging to duty, service, or office", from officium (see office). Meaning "person in charge of some public work or duty" first recorded 1555. The adj. is 14c., from Old French oficial, from Latin officialis.

An official is someone who holds an office in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority.