a group of people chosen to study, plan, or manage something on behalf of a larger organization
The city council formed a committee to improve the public parks.
Sarah chairs the fundraising committee at her children’s school.
✦ Early 17th century: from the verb commit + ‑ee, originally indicating people to whom authority is ‘committed’.
(archaic, law) a person appointed by a court to take charge of someone who is unable to manage their own affairs
In 1850, the judge named Mr. Brown as committee for the injured sailor.
The orphan’s estate was managed by a legal committee until she turned twenty-one.
✦ Same origin as modern sense; meaning of ‘person entrusted’ arose from the notion of being ‘committed’ with responsibility.
