foreign minister

American  

noun

1. (in countries other than the U.S.) a cabinet minister who conducts and supervises foreign and diplomatic relations with other states.

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foreign minister British  

noun

1. US equivalent: secretary of state.  (often capitals) a cabinet minister who is responsible for a country's dealings with other countries

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• foreign ministry
  noun

Etymology

Origin of foreign minister

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

“It’s the moment of highest tension between Mexico and the U.S. since the 1970s,” said Jorge Castañeda, a former Mexican foreign minister.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

That Eswatini visit was later brought up by Taiwan's foreign minister Lin Chia-lung in a post about the New Zealand delegation's visit.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Rubio landed in Yerevan for a brief refuelling stop on his way back from India and immediately began talks at the airport with Armenia's foreign minister, Ararat Mirzoyan.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, said that while the country hopes to avert conflict, it is hardening its defenses.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Earlier that evening, the German ambassador to Russia, Count Friedrich von Pourtales, requested a meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergei Sazonov.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

• cabinet minister
• secretary of state