foreign office

noun

1. the department of a government that handles foreign affairs.

foreign office

noun

1. US equivalent: State Department. Canadian equivalent: department of external affairs. the ministry of a country or state that is concerned with dealings with other states

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreign office¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said the evacuation had been a "highly complex process" and that more students were expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

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When asked about the case by Newsbeat, the Foreign Office confirmed it is "in contact with the Thai authorities following the arrest of a British man".

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The official visit, taken at the request of the Foreign Office, comes just weeks after her nephew Prince Harry visited war-wounded veterans during a surprise visit to Kyiv.

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Sir Simon Fraser, former head of the UK Foreign Office, said Sir Tony had shown genuine interest in the Palestinian issue and was trusted in Washington, Israel and the Gulf.

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The group submitted a 400-page legal petition to the Foreign Office earlier this month seeking an official apology and reparations from the UK.

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Related Words

• embassy