secretary of defense

Cultural  

1. The civilian head of the United States Department of Defense and a member of the cabinet, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The secretary of defense works with civilian and military advisers to formulate American military policies and make foreign policy recommendations to the president.

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Example Sentences

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secretary of defense

Their sense of responsibility is that they take an oath, not to a president, not to a secretary of defense, but to the Constitution.

From Slate ● Jun. 17, 2026

Tillis, who told me that the president’s beloved Florsheims might be a little too “flashy” for the Senate, supplied the decisive vote to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox host, as secretary of defense.

From Slate ● Jun. 5, 2026

The finance experts negotiate Pentagon contracts with defense companies, according to Michael Cadenazzi, an assistant secretary of defense.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

On Veep, he played a comical version of the US secretary of defense, who runs for office against the main character, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2025

Robert McNamara, secretary of defense during the crisis, came to what I consider to be a far more disturbing conclusion.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin