OFFICIAL definition: a person appointed or elected to an office or charged with certain duties. See examples of official used in a sentence.

Jan 10, 2015 · The meaning of OFFICIAL is one who holds or is invested with an office : officer. How to use official in a sentence.

An official language is one that is used by the government of a country when making its laws, in official documents, etc.:

1. a person appointed or elected to an office or charged with certain duties. 2. of or pertaining to an office or position of duty, trust, or authority: official powers. 3. appointed, authorized, or …

Used as an adjective, something "official" refers to something endowed with governmental or other authoritative recognition or mandate, as in official language, official gazette, or official …

of or relating to an office or to a position of duty, trust, or authority:[before a noun] official powers. appointed, authorized, recognized, or approved by a government or organization: an official flag.

If something is official, it's authorized and approved by somebody. If Gatorade is the official drink of the Olympics, somebody with authority has signed some papers and a deal has been made.