# superintendent

/ˌsupɝənˈtɛndənt/ (US) · /sˌuːpəɹɪntˈɛndənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/superintendent
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. building manager

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a person who takes care of an apartment building and makes sure everything works.

For teachers: the manager of a residential or commercial building responsible for maintenance and operations; often shortened to 'super' in North American English.

- If your heater stops working, you should call the superintendent.
- The superintendent lives in the basement apartment and handles all minor repairs for the building's thirty units.

Usage: Often shortened to 'super' in casual conversation.

### 2. police rank

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

a high-ranking police officer who manages a department or area.

For teachers: a senior police rank, typically positioned above a chief inspector and below a chief superintendent.

- The superintendent led the investigation into the local robbery.
- Superintendent Miller was tasked with reorganising the regional task force after the budget cuts were announced.

Teaching tip: In British crime dramas, this character is often addressed as 'Super' by colleagues.

### 3. school official

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Formal

the person in charge of all the schools in a specific area or district.

For teachers: the chief executive official in charge of a local school district.

- The school superintendent decided to close the schools because of the heavy snow.
- The superintendent presented a new five-year plan to the board of education to improve literacy rates across the district.

### 4. general supervisor

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

someone who has the power to manage or direct a large project or organisation.

For teachers: a person who oversees, directs, or administers a specific project, department, or institution.

- She was appointed as the superintendent of the new national park.
- The site superintendent ensured that all safety protocols were strictly followed during the construction of the bridge.

## Examples

- The building superintendent fixed the leaking pipe in my kitchen.
- The school board met with the superintendent to discuss the new budget for the upcoming academic year.
- After years of service in the metropolitan police force, she was promoted to the rank of superintendent, overseeing several local precincts.

---

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.