ministerial
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to a minister of religion or his office
-
of or relating to a government minister or ministry
a ministerial act
-
(often capital) of or supporting the ministry or government against the opposition
-
law relating to or possessing delegated executive authority
-
law (of an office, duty, etc) requiring the following of instructions, without power to exercise any personal discretion in doing so
-
acting as an agent or cause; instrumental
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ministerial
1555–65; < Late Latin ministeriālis, equivalent to Latin ministeri ( um ) ministry + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
Ministerial means having to do with a minister of a religion, or a government. If your dad is a pastor, he may have to make it clear if he is telling you not to lie as a father, or in his ministerial capacity. Ministerial derives from the Latin minister meaning "servant." A religious minister is a servant of God. A government minister is the head of a department, but also a servant of the government. Their work is their ministry, thus ministerial means pertaining to that work. If, as England's minister of defense, you streamlined the military, that streamlining would be your ministerial legacy.
Vocabulary lists containing ministerial
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Federalist Papers, No. 39 by James Madison
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
He added that he didn't "negotiate ministerial posts before election results," meaning it would later be decided which positions would be given to the Sweden Democrats.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Based on a formula adopted in 1994, ministerial salaries in Singapore are pegged to the incomes of the city-state’s leading corporate earners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Prime ministerial memoirs tell the stories of how central a moment it is in the week of any occupant of 10 Downing Street.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
A senior Conservative politician, Sir James has held a number of ministerial positions under three prime ministers - including roles as home secretary and education secretary.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
American independence became his ministerial calling, a mission he pursued with all the compressed energy of a latter-day Puritan pastor whose congregation was the American people.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
