Superintendent

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ËŒsjuːpÉ™rɪnˈtÉ›ndÉ™nt/, /ËŒsuːpÉ™rɪnˈtÉ›ndÉ™nt/

Origin

Latin superintendens.

Noun

1. A person who is authorized to supervise, direct or administer something.
2. A police rank used in Commonwealth countries, ranking above chief inspector, and below chief superintendent.
• 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, Well Tackled! Chapter 7, “No, don't,” replied the superintendent; “in fact, I'd rather you made yourself conspicuous elsewhere. Go down to the landing stage and cross to New Brighton or Wallasey—doesn't matter which—and come back. No doubt you will be seen, and reported to have gone across.”
3. The manager of a building, usually a communal residence, who is responsible for keeping the facilities functional and often collecting rent or similar payments, either as also the building's landlord or on behalf of same. Often abbreviated "super".
4. (chiefly US) A janitor.

Synonyms

• manager
• foreman
• chief, head, head man
• controller, comptroller
• overseer
• supervisor

Derived terms

• supt. abbreviation
• SP abbreviation
• chief superintendent
• detective superintendent (DSupt)
• detective chief superintendent (DCS)

Related terms

• superintend
• superintendency

Full definition of superintendent

Adjective

1. Overseeing; superintending.