subcommittee

subcommittee — noun

1. a smaller group formed from members of a larger committee to focus on one specif

1.nounB2
Definition

a smaller group formed from members of a larger committee to focus on one specific task or area, then report back with findings or recommendations.

Example

The finance subcommittee will review the budget proposal before the full committee meets.

collocation: [area] subcommittee as compound noun

Ramón was asked to serve on the safety subcommittee after the factory inspection.

collocation: serve on a subcommittee

Common collocations
  • subcommittee on [topic]
  • [area] subcommittee
  • subcommittee hearing
  • subcommittee chair
  • subcommittee report
  • subcommittee meeting
  • form a subcommittee
  • appoint a subcommittee
  • serve on a subcommittee
  • subcommittee of the [organisation]
Synonyms
  • panel

    a group of experts gathered for a specific purpose; less formal than 'subcommittee' and not necessarily drawn from a larger committee

  • task force

    a temporary group formed to solve a specific problem, often with broader membership than just committee members

  • working group

    a group that meets to explore a topic in depth; common in academic and corporate settings, similar scope to a subcommittee

Grammar Patterns

serve on a subcommittee

form a subcommittee

a subcommittee of [organisation]

subcommittee on [topic]

Usage Note

Frequently appears as part of a compound noun naming the topic, such as 'finance subcommittee' or 'safety subcommittee'. The subcommittee typically does detailed work on one issue and makes recommendations to the main committee, which holds the final decision-making power.

Common Mistakes

The subcommittee decided to approve the merger on its own.' (if the group lacks that authority).
The subcommittee recommended approving the merger, and the full committee voted to accept the recommendation.
a subcommittee usually reports to the main committee rather than acting independently.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Subcommittee,' 'panel,' 'task force,' and 'working group' all refer to smaller groups formed within a larger organisation, but they differ in structure and permanence. A 'subcommittee' is always a formal subdivision of a larger committee and reports to it — the main committee retains authority. A 'panel' is often a group of external experts convened for advice or evaluation (e.g., 'a panel of judges') and may exist independently. A 'task force' is created to solve a specific, often urgent problem and is typically temporary. A 'working group' is a collaborative team that explores a topic in depth, common in academia and business. For example: 'the finance subcommittee reported to the board,' but 'a task force was formed to tackle the flood damage,' and 'a working group studied the new curriculum over the summer.'

panel ↗task forceworking group

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • subcommittee on [topic]
  • [area] subcommittee

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in English around the 1600s by adding the prefix 'sub-' (meaning 'under' or 'below') to 'committee,' which itself comes from the Latin 'committere' (to entrust). A subcommittee is literally a committee that operates under a larger committee.