What does "ex officio" mean?

The term "ex officio" translates to "by virtue of one's position or office." When used in legal, organizational, or governmental contexts, it refers to someone who holds a position and thus has certain responsibilities or privileges that come with that role, typically without needing to be elected or appointed separately. For instance, a committee might have an ex officio member who is part of the committee due to their role in another organization or department.

Understanding this term is essential in scenarios where individuals participate in functions or decision-making processes solely because of their official capacity rather than through a direct election or special appointment. The other choices imply alternative methods of acquiring roles or functions that do not encapsulate the inherent nature of "ex officio," which is linked directly to one's position. Therefore, the definition that aligns best with the meaning of "ex officio" is indeed based on the virtue of holding an office.