# staff

/ˈstæf/ (US) · /stˈɑːf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/staff
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. employees

noun · CEFR B1 · General-service

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

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

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

### 2. walking stick

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The old hiker leaned on his wooden staff as he climbed the steep hill.
- The wizard is often depicted holding a gnarled wooden staff that serves as both a walking aid and a focus for his power.

### 3. musical lines

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The composer wrote the violin melody clearly on the musical staff.
- In modern musical notation, the treble clef is placed at the beginning of the staff to indicate the pitch of the notes following it.

### 4. military officers

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The general met with his staff to discuss the battle plan.
- The chief of staff coordinated between the various departments to ensure the logistics of the operation were flawless.

### 5. symbol of authority

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

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

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

- The official carried a silver staff during the royal ceremony.
- The ceremonial staff was passed from the outgoing dean to her successor as a symbol of the transfer of academic authority.

### 6. to provide workers

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

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

## Examples

- The hotel staff is very friendly and helpful.
- The hospital is hiring more medical staff to handle the increase in patients during the winter months.
- Senior management met with the teaching staff to discuss the implementation of the new curriculum and address concerns regarding the allocation of classroom resources.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.