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Glite Dictionary
ad-hoc committee

ad-hoc committee

1 4.6
A group of people set up for a short time to do a single task
  • noun
  • /ˈæd hɑk kəˈmɪti/
  • Formal
translation icon : comité ad-hoc
  • The boss wants several of you to form an ad hoc committee to come up with some ideas to solve Earth's problems.
  • form an ad-hoc committee

Examples

  • Ad hoc committees are formed periodically to address this issue and make recommendations for improving retention and graduation rates.

    Academic text (2002)

  • I propose an ad hoc committee be convened to work toward developing a new consensus definition.

    Academic text (2004)

  • One exception was made, however, with the ad hoc committee that addressed art teacher education.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The church-state problems surface in how the ad hoc committee did its work.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The data are compiled and reviewed by the whole group or by a designated ad hoc committee.

    Academic text (2013)

  • State leaders are engaging members across the state in discussions, making numerous chapter visits, and have appointed an ad hoc committee for chapter strengthening.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Norman Horrocks was a member of the ad hoc committee that worked to establish the RMRT.

    Academic text (2012)

  • In order to gain a comprehensive overview of the effect on society, the Executive Council appointed an ad hoc committee to develop an overview of the long-term financing strategy.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Method: In accordance with the evidence-based practice policy agenda, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) convened an ad hoc committee on language use in social interactions in school-age children.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The school formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the recent issues with the lunch program.

Synonyms

task force
vsad-hoc committee
153 3.3

A group of people who work together for a short time to do a specific job

is a temporary body set up for a particular purpose not only emergencies
working group
vsad-hoc committee
13 2.6

A temporary team of people who work together to reach a clear goal

is set up for one clear purpose rather than for ongoing collaboration
working party
vsad-hoc committee
  • UK
1 3.6

A group of people who work together for a short time on a single task

is broader applying to any temporary group formed for a specific purpose

How Temporary

ad-hoc committee
  • Formal
1 4.6
standing committee
  • Formal
3 3.4

Surface Forms

ad-hoc committee singular
ad-hoc committees plural

Morphology

ad-hoc + committee

The meaning 'a committee formed temporarily for a specific purpose' is directly and compositionally derived from 'ad-hoc' (for this purpose/temporary) plus 'committee' (a group formed to address specific matters). The phrase follows straightforward English composition and 'ad hoc' is transparently used with similar senses in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

The term ad-hoc committee comes from the Latin words ad and hoc, which mean 'for this'. It gives a clear picture of a group put together just to deal with one problem, so today it means 'a temporary committee for a specific task'.