staff

/stɑ:f/

Friendly

The word "staff" can be understood in different ways depending on the context in which it is used. Here’s a simple explanation for you:

Definition:

1. Noun (General Use):

   • Group of People: "Staff" often refers to a group of people who work for an organization, like a school or a hospital. For example, "The hospital has an excellent nursing staff," means the nurses who work there are very good at their jobs.
   • Musical Staff: In music, a "staff" is a system of five horizontal lines on which musical notes are written.
   • Strong Rod or Stick: A "staff" can also mean a strong stick or rod that someone might use for support, like a walking stick.

2. Verb:

   • To "staff" means to provide people for a job or position. For example, "The reception desk is staffed by two men," means those two men work at the reception desk.

Usage Instructions:

• When using "staff" as a noun, think about whether you are talking about people (like teachers or nurses), music (the lines for notes), or a physical stick (like a walking stick).
• When using "staff" as a verb, consider how you are assigning roles or filling positions.

Examples:

• Noun: "The dean addressed the letter to the entire staff of the university." (Here, "staff" means all the teachers and administrators.)
• Noun (Musical): "The notes were written on the staff." (Referring to the lines used in music.)
• Noun (Rod): "He walked with the help of a wooden staff." (Referring to a walking stick.)
• Verb: "They need to staff the new office by next month." (Meaning they need to hire people for the office.)

Advanced Usage:

• In a business context, you might hear phrases like "staff turnover," which refers to the rate at which employees leave and are replaced.
• In education, "staff development" refers to training and improving the skills of the staff.

Word Variants:

• Staffed (past tense of the verb; meaning to have provided people for a job)
• Staffing (the act of providing staff)

Different Meanings:

• Musical Context: The "staff" is crucial for writing and reading music.
• Symbol of Authority: In some contexts, a "staff" may also refer to a symbolic rod carried by leaders or figures of authority.

Synonyms:

• For the noun meaning "group of people": team, crew, personnel, workforce.
• For the noun meaning "stick": rod, stick, cane.
• For the verb: employ, hire.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "On staff": This phrase means that someone is employed at an organization. For example, "She is on staff at the university."
• "Staff up": This means to hire more employees. For example, "The company plans to staff up for the busy season."

Academic

Noun

1. (music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written
2. a rod carried as a symbol
3. building material consisting of plaster and hair; used to cover external surfaces of temporary structure (as at an exposition) or for decoration
4. the body of teachers and administrators at a school
   • the dean addressed the letter to the entire staff of the university
5. a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose
   • he walked with the help of a wooden staff
6. personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
   • the hospital has an excellent nursing staff
   • the general relied on his staff to make routine decisions

Verb

1. serve on the staff of
   • The two men staff the reception desk
2. provide with staff
   • This position is not always staffed

Synonyms

• stave
• faculty