Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

foreign office

American  

noun

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


foreign office British  

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of foreign office

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"We get a call every day from a foreign office, but they don't really have any news," Haldia told AFP on Saturday.

From Barron's Aug. 29, 2026

Pakistan, a key intermediary in negotiations, expressed "deep concern at escalation in regional tensions", according to its foreign office.

From Barron's Jul. 13, 2026

The UK foreign office said it was "aware of an individual from the MV Hondius who has travelled on to the Pitcairn Islands".

From BBC May 13, 2026

A foreign office spokesman said discussions were continuing with the U.S., though he disputed the idea that Britain was delaying implementing the deal, saying there had never been a timetable.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 25, 2026

Kappe asked Dasch if he wanted to work for either the German foreign office or some other endeavor.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training