secretariat

American  

[sek-ri-tair-ee-uht] / ˌsɛk rɪˈtɛər i ət /

Or secretariate

noun

1. the officials or office entrusted with administrative duties, maintaining records, and overseeing or performing secretarial duties, especially for an international organization.

   the secretariat of the United Nations.

2. a group or department of secretaries.

3. the place where a secretary transacts business, preserves records, etc.

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secretariat British  

/ ˌsɛkrɪˈtɛərɪət /

noun

1. 1. an office responsible for the secretarial, clerical, and administrative affairs of a legislative body, executive council, or international organization

   2. the staff of such an office

   3. the building or rooms in which such an office is housed

2. a body of secretaries

3. a secretary's place of work; office

4. the position of a secretary

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Etymology

Origin of secretariat

1805–15; < French secrétariat < Medieval Latin sēcrētāriātus. See secretary, -ate ³

Example Sentences

The IEA Secretariat will provide further details of how this collective action will be implemented in due course.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

A statement from Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense confirmed that “complementary information was provided by U.S. authorities within the framework of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the United States.”

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

The officer, Vikash Yadav, worked for Indian government's Cabinet Secretariat, which houses India's foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing, according to the indictment.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

The strike was called by the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions in Jerusalem and later joined by all private schools in east Jerusalem.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

“If I want to have Secretariat in my group,” he said, “I can get Secretariat.”

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston