ministry
Americannoun
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the service, functions, or profession of a minister of religion.
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the body or class of ministers of religion; clergy.
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the service, function, or office of a minister of state.
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the body of ministers of state.
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(usually initial capital letter) any of the administrative governmental departments of certain countries usually under the direction of a minister of state.
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(usually initial capital letter) the building that houses such an administrative department.
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the term of office of a minister of state.
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an act or instance of ministering; ministration; service.
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something that serves as an agency, instrument, or means.
noun
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the profession or duties of a minister of religion
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the performance of these duties
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ministers of religion or government ministers considered collectively
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the tenure of a minister
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a government department headed by a minister
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the buildings of such a department
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of ministry
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin ministerium, from minister minister + -ium -ium
Explanation
If you are discussing the duties of your minister or rabbi, you are talking about his or her ministry — the work the religious leader does in serving a congregation. The noun ministry also refers to a group of clergy. Even if you do not lead a religious community, you can still have a ministry, as the word means to provide information or services about an organization or cause. The charity can have a ministry to serve homeless people. The noun ministry can also refer to a government department. In the United Kingdom, for example, the Ministry of Defense oversees the armed forces. A ministry can also be the building where this sort of government work occurs.
Vocabulary lists containing ministry
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775)
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Lebanese health ministry said eight people were killed in Tyre, where the Israeli military issued a new order for residents to leave the southern city, including its Christian quarter for the first time.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
A senior adviser to Somalia's ministry of youth and sports confirmed the denial of entry to the BBC and said Artan had been travelling with valid documents.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
Rivera's death was announced May 31 by the Nicaraguan health ministry, which said his health failed because of a bacterial infection caused by the Covid-19 virus.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
The 30-year JGBs to be issued in June will be a reopening of the April 2026 issue, according to the ministry.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Oliver was deeply religious and had for a long time considered the ministry to be his calling.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
