minister

[ min-uh-ster ]

noun

1. a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
2. a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.
3. a person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department:

   the minister of finance.

4. a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador. Compare envoy ¹( def 1 ).
5. a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.

verb (used with object)

1. to administer or apply:

   to minister the last rites.

2. Archaic. to furnish; supply.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform the functions of a religious minister.
2. to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.:

   to minister to the needs of the hungry.

   Synonyms: oblige, tend, answer

3. to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

minister

/ ˈmɪnɪstə /

noun

1. (esp in Presbyterian and some Nonconformist Churches) a member of the clergy
2. a person appointed to head a government department
3. any diplomatic agent accredited to a foreign government or head of state
4. See envoy
   short for minister plenipotentiary or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary See envoy 1
5. Also called (in full)minister resident a diplomat ranking after an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
6. a person who attends to the needs of others, esp in religious matters
7. a person who acts as the agent or servant of a person or thing

verb

1. introften foll byto to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)
2. archaic.
   tr to provide; supply

minister

¹

1. A title used in many countries for members of cabinets and similar public officials, who are roughly equivalent to the officials in the United States cabinet. For example, a minister of foreign affairs will have duties similar to those of the secretary of state of the United States.

minister

²

1. In many Protestant churches , the presiding clergyman. Ministers preach sermons; conduct services; officiate at baptisms , weddings, and funerals; and generally look after the needs of their congregation. Some Protestant churches refer to their clergy as pastors or preachers rather than ministers.

Derived Forms

• ˈministerˌship, noun

Other Words From

• pre·minis·ter verb (used without object)
• sub·minis·ter noun
• under·minis·ter noun
• un·minis·tered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English minister, ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister “servant,” from minus “less” (adverb form of minor minor ) + -ter, noun suffix; (for the verb) Middle English ministren, from Old French ministrer, from Latin ministrāre “to act as a servant, attend,” derivative of minister; master ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

C13: via Old French from Latin: servant; related to minus less

Example Sentences

Suga often has been mentioned as one of many possible successors to Abe, especially in recent months as the prime minister scaled back public appearances and faced a series of political scandals involving friends and family.

From Fortune

There was a large anti-government protest planned for December 19 at the Red Fort in Delhi, which is a historic monument from where the prime minister traditionally delivers a televised address to the nation on independence day.

From MIT Technology Review

The policy, which granted exemptions on medical grounds, was backed by his minister for industry, science, and technology.

From Quartz

When the prime minister says, “No country would find 173 billion barrels of oil in the ground and just leave them there,” he’s not wrong.

From Fortune

This past July, May was replaced as prime minister by Boris Johnson, her former Foreign Minister and, before that, the Mayor of London.

From Freakonomics

Domestically, the prime minister maintains the dubious line that he is the only man who can keep the still-fragile peace.

From The Daily Beast

One of its top officials is the current minister of the interior in Baghad.

From The Daily Beast

Even those Christians who do want to minister amid the rancor of race and policing are missing the mark.

From The Daily Beast

“I have coordinated with our foreign minister so we will borrow from other countries which have offered,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Hamish Marshall himself is a former staffer of Prime Minister Harper.

From The Daily Beast

But,” said the prime minister of Flatland, starting a difficulty, “who is to be greatest chief?

From Project Gutenberg

He professed both to abominate and despise all mystery, refinement, and intrigue, either in a prince or a minister.

From Project Gutenberg

One of her humours was to unite the son of her minister, with a niece of the widowed Queen of Saint Germain's.

From Project Gutenberg

The minister's eye kept steady to one point; to raise the country he governed, to the utmost pinnacle of earthly grandeur.

From Project Gutenberg

All that was necessary was a slight knowledge of a Cabinet Minister, and a smattering of schooling.

From Project Gutenberg