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

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Business Secretary Peter Kyle and the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, have all been on visits to China.

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Zak says the Foreign Office, the government department that deals with deaths abroad, could have done more.

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He echoes the feelings of Simone's friend, Bethany, who has also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the Foreign Office's campaign.

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BBC Newsbeat put the family's criticisms of the government and concerns about the awareness campaign to the Foreign Office.

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The most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, was there last month in the midst of all those headlines about the collapsed spying trial.

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Related Words

• embassy