Staff

Quick meaning: Staff is a noun meaning (plural staffs or staves) A long, straight, thick wooden rod or stick, especially one used to assist in walking.

Meaning

(plural staffs or staves) A long, straight, thick wooden rod or stick, especially one used to assist in walking.

More Meanings

1. (music, plural staffs or staves) A series of horizontal lines on which musical notes are written; a stave.
2. (plural staff or staffs) The employees of a business.
3. (uncountable) A mixture of plaster and fibre used as a temporary exterior wall covering.ᵂ
4. A pole, stick, or wand borne as an ensign of authority; a badge of office.
5. A pole upon which a flag is supported and displayed.
6. A series of verses so disposed that, when it is concluded, the same order begins again; a stanza; a stave.
7. (archaic) The rung of a ladder.

Example Sentences

a constable's staff

The company has taken on 1600 more highly-paid staff.

The company employed 10 new members of staff this month.

It turns out that, in journalistic terms, and especially at the FT, where many staff see out their entire careers, seven years is nothing.

Word Forms

• staffs
• staves
• staffing
• staffed

Synonyms for staff

Depending on context, synonyms include stick, stave, personnel, faculty.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include stave, faculty, rod, baton, alpenstock, bedside.

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