dean
dean — noun
1. a senior university official who oversees a specific faculty, school, or academi
a senior university official who oversees a specific faculty, school, or academic unit, managing programmes, budgets, and faculty appointments.
Tuan met with the dean of engineering to ask about the new robotics lab.
dean of [faculty/school] — typical collocation
The dean announced that every department would receive extra funding for research next year.
Professor Nia Okonkwo became dean of the medical school after twenty years on the faculty.
As law school dean, Harper reviewed every promotion file before it reached the senate.
The dean of the business school organised a conference on sustainable finance for local companies.
用法筆記
In the US and many Commonwealth universities, titles such as 'dean of the faculty of arts' or 'dean of the medical school' refer to the academic head. This role is distinct from that of a 'dean of students' (see sense 4), who handles student welfare rather than academic programming.
常見錯誤
2. the longest-serving or most respected member of a profession or group, seen as i
the longest-serving or most respected member of a profession or group, seen as its unofficial leader and source of advice.
After four decades in journalism, Maeve was widely regarded as the dean of political reporters.
the dean of [profession] — fixed expression for doyen
Emre, the dean of the city's architecture community, still mentors young designers every Thursday.
The elderly violinist was introduced as the dean of the nation's classical musicians.
Vinícius became the unofficial dean of the fishing fleet, someone everyone asked for advice.
- doyen
the French-derived synonym; 'doyen' is slightly more formal and often preferred in British English
- elder statesman
implies political or public-life seniority; more metaphorical
- grand old man/woman
affectionate and informal; emphasises long and respected service
- newcomer
someone who has recently joined a group or profession
用法筆記
This sense is most common in journalistic or biographical writing ('the dean of American letters', 'the dean of the diplomatic corps'). It is rarely used in everyday conversation. The equivalent feminine noun 'doyenne' also exists but is less common.
常見錯誤
3. a senior priest who oversees a cathedral church and its clergy, or who supervise
a senior priest who oversees a cathedral church and its clergy, or who supervises a group of parish churches within a district.
The dean of St. Paul's Cathedral led the memorial service for the former prime minister.
dean of [cathedral name] — standard ecclesiastical reference
Brandon was appointed rural dean, overseeing twelve parish churches across the county.
The bishop appointed Dahlia as canon and later dean of the cathedral in the diocese.
Dean Xiu organised the restoration of the cathedral's medieval stained-glass windows.
Dean Michael Okonkwo led the Christmas Eve service at St. Mary's Cathedral, welcoming over 800 worshippers.
- canon
a member of the cathedral chapter who assists the dean; lower rank
- bishop
a higher-ranking clergy member who oversees an entire diocese, including its deans
- archdeacon
a senior clergy role overseeing administrative matters in a diocese, similar rank to a dean
用法筆記
In the Church of England, a dean ranks below a bishop but above a canon. In the Roman Catholic Church, the term covers both cathedral deans (heads of a cathedral chapter) and rural deans (priests supervising a group of parishes). When used as a title before a name ('Dean Xiu'), the word is capitalised.
常見錯誤
4. a university or school administrator responsible for student welfare, counsellin
a university or school administrator responsible for student welfare, counselling, and behavioural discipline outside the classroom.
The dean of students e-mailed all undergraduates about the new campus safety policy.
dean of students — fixed American English title
Nikhil's parents met with the dean after he received two academic warnings.
When Noa struggled with her coursework, the dean helped her arrange extra tutoring sessions.
The dean's office handles all disciplinary cases involving plagiarism and cheating.
Élise went to the dean of students to apply for a medical leave of absence.
- student affairs director
an alternative title used at some institutions, emphasising administration rather than authority
- student dean
a shortened form common in US college guides
用法筆記
In US universities, 'dean of students' is a dedicated role separate from academic deans (sense 1). At Oxford and Cambridge, the term historically refers to a fellow responsible for student discipline only. In Taiwan, this role corresponds most closely to 學務長. Not used in this sense in British secondary education.