subcommittee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “subcommittee” mean?
A smaller committee formed from members of a main committee to focus on a specific task or area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A smaller committee formed from members of a main committee to focus on a specific task or area.
Any secondary, specialized, or subsidiary group with delegated authority operating within a larger parent body, often found in government, corporate, or organizational structures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in structure and meaning. Spelling is consistent (not 'sub-committee'). Differences are minor, relating to the specific naming conventions of committees in each political/corporate system.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation. Both imply bureaucracy and specialized delegation.
Frequency
Equally common in formal and administrative contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “subcommittee” in a Sentence
subcommittee on [topic]subcommittee for [purpose]subcommittee of [parent committee]subcommittee to [infinitive verb phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “subcommittee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [The verb form is not standard. The concept is expressed as 'to refer to a subcommittee' or 'to subcommittee' is exceedingly rare.]
American English
- [The verb form is not standard. The concept is expressed as 'to refer to a subcommittee' or 'to subcommittee' is exceedingly rare.]
adverb
British English
- [None]
American English
- [None]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard. Use attributive noun, e.g., 'subcommittee chair' or 'subcommittee level'.]
American English
- [Not standard. Use attributive noun, e.g., 'subcommittee hearing' or 'subcommittee vote'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The remuneration subcommittee will review executive pay packages next quarter.
Academic
Her research was reviewed by the university's ethics subcommittee.
Everyday
The neighbourhood association formed a subcommittee to plan the summer fete.
Technical
The standards subcommittee is responsible for drafting the new protocol specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “subcommittee”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “subcommittee”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “subcommittee”
- Misspelling as 'subcomittee' (single 'm').
- Incorrect plural: 'subcommittees' (correct), not 'subcommitteemen'.
- Using it for an independent group rather than one reporting to a parent body.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, organizational, political, and corporate contexts, though it can appear in everyday community groups.
Theoretically, yes, but it is uncommon and often seen as overly bureaucratic. It would typically be called a 'working group' or 'task force' of the subcommittee.
A subcommittee is a permanent or long-standing subgroup of a committee. A task force is often temporary, cross-functional, and formed for a specific, urgent purpose, not necessarily reporting to a single committee.
No, it is non-standard and very rare. The correct phrasing is 'to refer (a matter) to a subcommittee' or 'to establish a subcommittee to handle' something.
A smaller committee formed from members of a main committee to focus on a specific task or area.
Subcommittee: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌbkəmɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌbkəˌmɪdi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUB (under) + COMMITTEE. It's a committee UNDER a bigger committee.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (the subcommittee is a specialized organ of the larger body).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a subcommittee?