foreign office

American  

noun

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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of foreign office

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

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

The foreign office separately announced Monday that "as a precautionary measure" dependants of UK embassy staff in the UAE will be temporarily withdrawn from the country.

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 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

The British foreign office also on Thursday said that "non-essential British Embassy staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Bamako".

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

The "other endeavor" sounded vague, so Dasch asked what kind of work he would be doing in the foreign office.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• embassy