of office (=period of time working in an important job)5 Office used in the names of some government departments:the Foreign Officethe Office of the District Attorney6place for information [countable] a room or building where people go to ask for information, buy tickets etcinformation/ticket etc officethe tourist officeIs there a lost property office? box office, post office, registry office7doctor [countable] American English the place where a doctor or dentistexamines or treats people [= surgery British English]8 somebody's good offices/the good offices of somebodyformal help given by someone who has authority or can influence peoplethrough the good offices of somebodyI managed to obtain a visa through the good offices of a friend in the Service.WORD FOCUS: doctor similar words: physician especially AmE, GP British English, consultant, registrara doctor who does operations: surgeona doctor who treats mental illnesses: psychiatrist, psychotherapist, shrinkinformala doctor who treats people's teeth: dentist, orthodontista doctor who treats animals: vet, veterinarian especially AmEsomeone who is training to be a doctor: medical student, intern American Englishthe place where you go to see your doctor: surgery British English, officeAmerican EnglishTradetrade1buying/selling [uncountable] the activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods within a country or between countries [= commerce]trade betweenThere has been a marked increase in trade between East and West. international trade agreementsunfair trade practicestrade inTrade in ivory has been banned since 1990.the arms/drug/slave etc trade (=the buying and selling of weapons, drugs etc) balance of trade, free trade trade war at war (3)2 the hotel/tourist etc trade the business done by companies, hotels etc[ industry]:Working on Saturdays is usual in the retail trade.3amount of business [uncountable] British English business activity, especially the amount of goods or products that are sold [= business]:A lot of pubs nowadays do most of their trade at lunchtimes.passing trade (=customers who go into a shop when they are passing it, not regular customers)Souvenir shops rely mainly on passing trade. do a roaring trade at roaring (3)4an exchange of things [singular] American Englisha) when you exchange something you have for something that someone else has:Let's make a trade - my frisbee for your baseball.b) when a player on a sports team is exchanged for a player from another team:The Celtics star demanded a trade after talks with management broke down.5 the trade a particular kind of business, and the people who are involved in it:I could get Ron to look at your car for you; he works in the trade.6job/work [uncountable and countable] a particular job, especially one needing special skill with your hands:Brian insisted that his sons learn a trade.My grandfather was a plumber by trade (=that was his job).tools of your trade (=the things that you need to do your job)Employmentemployment [uncountable]1 the condition of having a paid job:She was offered employment in the sales office.terms and conditions of employmentemployment opportunities/prospectsThe employment prospects for science graduates are excellent.Steve's still looking for full-time employment.the needs of women who combine paid employment and care for their familiesin employment21.7% of all those in employment were in part-time jobs.2 the act of paying someone to work for youemployment ofMexican law prohibits the