superintendent

1 of 2

noun

su·​per·​in·​ten·​dent ˌsü-p(ə-)rin-ˈten-dənt 

ˌsü-pərn-

: one who has executive oversight and charge

superintendent

2 of 2

adjective

: having executive oversight and charge of something : of, relating to, or being a superintendent

superintendent [=supervising] powers

a superintendent officer

The wedding will take place three days after our return to England, by special license, at the office of the district superintendent registrar, in the presence of my solicitor and his clerk, who, like his clients, will be in ordinary walking dress.

—George Bernard Shaw

Synonyms

Noun

• administrant
• administrator
• archon
• director
• exec
• executive
• manager
• supervisor

Examples of superintendent in a Sentence

Noun

the office of the superintendent of parks issues camping permits

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Karlie Parker, associate superintendent of special education for the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, said in a phone interview that the logs of law enforcement visits don’t always reveal the nature of visits from law enforcement, which are not always negative. —Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 25 Sep. 2024

The letter argued that in light of their allegations, the board should not consider Jackson for the superintendent job. —Kristen Taketa, The Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2024

Adjective

Wright has been superintendent since July 2022 after working as superintendent of the Mississippi Achievement School District. —Cynthia Howell, arkansasonline.com, 15 Aug. 2024

The district also moved Kim Hauer, formerly human resources director, to an assistant superintendent role and Jason Hussel, formerly South Elementary principal, to human resources director. —Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin superintendent-, superintendens, from Late Latin, present participle of superintendere

First Known Use

Noun

1554, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1566, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing superintendent

• sidewalk superintendent

Kids Definition

superintendent

noun

su·​per·​in·​ten·​dent ˌsü-p(ə-)rin-ˈten-dənt 

ˌsü-pərn-

: a person who directs, manages, or maintains something

Legal Definition

superintendent

noun

su·​per·​in·​ten·​dent

: one who has the oversight and charge of a place, institution, department, organization, or operation

specifically : the executive head of a police department