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prefect

prefect

15 8.0
A senior official in government or the police who leads a region
  • noun
  • /ˈpriːfɛkt/
  • Formal
translation icon : prefecto
  • In France, the prefect represents the national government in each department.

Examples

Synonyms

chief
vsprefect
1.9

A person who leads a group or community

is a senior official title used especially in government or police contexts
official
vsprefect
3.7

A person who works for a government or organization and has power to make and enforce rules

is a higher, top-level role used especially in government or police
officer
vsprefect
2.1

A person chosen to hold a responsible position in a company, club, or government

is a senior official specifically indicating a top leadership role in government or police
commissioner
vsprefect
  • Formal
572 5.1

A person who manages a government department or public service

is a senior official often with specific legal or police roles as well
secretary
vsprefect
  • UK
411 4.1

A senior government official who leads a major department

is a senior official with broader use beyond leading an administrative department
inspector
vsprefect
  • UK
285 3.0

A senior police officer who leads and supervises other officers

is a senior official title higher than this mid-level policing rank
captain
vsprefect
247 2.9

An officer in the army, navy, or police who is in charge of others

is a senior official used mainly as an administrative or police title
chief of staff
vsprefect
172 5.2

A senior military officer who leads a branch and manages its operations and administration

is a senior official title applying beyond military staff leadership
superintendent
vsprefect
166 6.0

A person who manages an organization or its department, often in police and schools

is a senior official title used especially within government or police hierarchies
118 3.2

A person elected or appointed to carry out government work

is a senior official title that also applies specifically within police forces
executive
vsprefect
103 4.5

A senior person who manages a government department

is a senior official term used especially in government or police contexts
police chief
vsprefect
93 3.2

An officer who is in charge of a police department

is a senior official across government or police, not only department head
federal official
vsprefect
  • US
32 3.7

A government worker who makes sure people follow national laws, often in the United States

is a senior official term that covers broader government or police leadership roles
27 4.6

A senior officer in charge of a city's police force

is a senior official in government or police beyond just policing leadership
department head
vsprefect
20 3.0

A person who leads a department in a company or school

is a senior official used more widely at national or police leadership levels
marshal
vsprefect
  • UK
16 7.4

A very high military officer who commands an army

is a senior official term used in civilian government or police contexts
fire chief
vsprefect
  • US
14 2.9

A person in charge of firefighters and their work in a city or town

is a senior official used in government or police rather than fire services
police captain
vsprefect
  • US
10 3.3

A senior police officer in charge of a precinct or division

is a senior official across government or police, not limited to precinct command
head honcho
vsprefect
  • Slang
9 6.3

A person who is in charge of a company or group

is a senior official term used formally in government or police settings
functionary
vsprefect
8 7.7

A person who has an official job in a government or large organization

is a senior official implying higher rank and broader responsibility
commissioned officer
vsprefect
  • Specialized
3 3.6

A member of the military who has power from the government to give orders

is a senior official used chiefly in civil government or police, not only military
Chief Constable
vsprefect
  • UK
1 7.0

A senior police officer who leads the police in a county, especially in the United Kingdom

is a senior official in government or police more broadly
civil officer
vsprefect
1 4.4

A person who holds an official government job that is not military

is a senior official used in both civil administration and police settings
Chief Secretary
vsprefect
  • UK
1 7.3

An important government official in charge of a department who coordinates other departments

is a senior official more widely used across police and various governments
1 4.4

A person who manages office work and makes official decisions in a government or large organization

is a senior official often with public or policing leadership rather than mere administration

Surface Forms

prefect singular
prefects plural

Etymology

Prefect comes from Latin parts pre- meaning 'before' and facere meaning 'to put or make'. It originally meant someone 'put in front' to lead, which is why a prefect is a senior official or chief officer today.