Oberamt (German: [ˈoːbɐʔamt], plural Oberämter) was the designation of an administrative unit in the German state of Württemberg, introduced in 1758 instead of Amt. Literally translated, the term means Upper, Senior, Higher or Superior Office. It was in use until 1934, after the nazi seizure of power, when the Oberämter were renamed Kreise with the Kreisordnung of Württemberg and their number was considerably reduced by mergers in 1938.