foreign office

American  

noun

1. the department of a government that handles foreign affairs.

---

foreign office British  

noun

1. US equivalent: State Department.  Canadian equivalent: department of external affairs.  the ministry of a country or state that is concerned with dealings with other states

---

Etymology

Origin of foreign office

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Britain's foreign minister Yvette Cooper warned her Iranian counterpart in a phone call "against targeting UK bases, territory or interests directly", a foreign office statement said.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

A foreign office spokesman said discussions were continuing with the U.S., though he disputed the idea that Britain was delaying implementing the deal, saying there had never been a timetable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

The US said it would send ICE agents to the Games to help support American security operations, prompting anger from the Italian foreign office and citizens.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

The British foreign office also on Thursday said that "non-essential British Embassy staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Bamako".

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

Herr Ribben- trop's been able virtually to bypass our foreign office altogether.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• embassy