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staff

n. · v.
US //ˈstæf// UK //stˈɑːf// staff
  1. 1 employees (n.)
    B1 Intermediate General-service

    the group of people who work for an organisation or business.

    the collective body of people employed by an organisation or business. Often functions as a collective noun.

    Example

    The hotel staff were very friendly and helped us with our bags.

    Example

    The hospital has increased its nursing staff to ensure that patient care remains a priority during the busy winter months.

    Usage

    Can be followed by a singular or plural verb depending on regional dialect.
    Pitfall
    The staffs were very helpful.
    The staff were very helpful.

    In British English, 'staff' is a collective noun usually treated as plural; in American English, it is often singular. However, 'staffs' is rarely used unless referring to multiple different organisations.

  2. 2 walking stick (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a long, strong stick used to help you walk or as a weapon.

    a long, sturdy rod or pole used as an aid for walking, a weapon, or a support.

    Example

    The old hiker leaned on his wooden staff as he climbed the steep hill.

    Example

    The wizard is often depicted holding a gnarled wooden staff that serves as both a walking aid and a focus for his power.
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  1. 3 musical lines (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    the set of five horizontal lines that musical notes are written on.

    the set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch.

    Example

    The composer wrote the violin melody clearly on the musical staff.

    Example

    In modern musical notation, the treble clef is placed at the beginning of the staff to indicate the pitch of the notes following it.
  2. 4 military officers (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Military

    a group of officers who help a commander plan and lead an army.

    a group of officers assisting a commanding officer in administration, planning, and logistics.

    Example

    The general met with his staff to discuss the battle plan.

    Example

    The chief of staff coordinated between the various departments to ensure the logistics of the operation were flawless.
  3. 5 symbol of authority (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Formal

    a decorated pole or wand held by an official to show their power.

    a pole or wand carried as an emblem of authority or office.

    Example

    The official carried a silver staff during the royal ceremony.

    Example

    The ceremonial staff was passed from the outgoing dean to her successor as a symbol of the transfer of academic authority.
  4. 6 to provide workers (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to provide a place or an event with the people needed to work there.

    to provide an organisation, office, or event with a workforce.

    Example

    We need to staff the information desk for the entire weekend.

    Example

    The charity struggled to staff the helpline during the holiday period when most regular volunteers were away.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Origin

From Middle English staf, from Old English stæf (“letter of the alphabet”), from Proto-West Germanic stab, from Proto-Germanic stabaz. Cognate with Dutch staf, German Stab, Swedish stav. Sense of "group of military officers that assists a commander" and similar meanings, attested from 1702, is influenced by or is even from German Stab.

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