minister

American  

[min-uh-ster] / ˈmɪn ə stər /

noun

1. a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.

2. a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.

3. a person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department.

   the minister of finance.

4. a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador.

5. a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.

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verb (used with object)

1. to administer or apply.

   to minister the last rites.

2. Archaic. to furnish; supply.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform the functions of a religious minister.

2. to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities..

   to minister to the needs of the hungry.

   Synonyms:

   oblige, tend, answer

3. to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

minister British  

/ ˈmɪnɪstə /

noun

1. (esp in Presbyterian and some Nonconformist Churches) a member of the clergy

2. a person appointed to head a government department

3. any diplomatic agent accredited to a foreign government or head of state

4. short for minister plenipotentiary or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary See envoy 1

5. Also called (in full): minister resident.  a diplomat ranking after an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary

6. a person who attends to the needs of others, esp in religious matters

7. a person who acts as the agent or servant of a person or thing

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verb

1. to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)

2. archaic (tr) to provide; supply

minister ¹ Cultural  

1. In many Protestant churches, the presiding clergyman. Ministers preach sermons; conduct services; officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals; and generally look after the needs of their congregation. Some Protestant churches refer to their clergy as pastors or preachers rather than ministers.

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minister ² Cultural  

1. A title used in many countries for members of cabinets and similar public officials, who are roughly equivalent to the officials in the United States cabinet. For example, a minister of foreign affairs will have duties similar to those of the secretary of state of the United States.

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Other Word Forms

• ministership noun
• preminister verb (used without object)
• subminister noun
• underminister noun
• unministered adjective

Etymology

Origin of minister

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English minister, ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister “servant,” from minus “less” (adverb form of minor minor ) + -ter, noun suffix; (for the verb) Middle English ministren, from Old French ministrer, from Latin ministrāre “to act as a servant, attend,” derivative of minister; master ( def. )

Example Sentences

The prime minister said Japan expects to secure more than half of its oil procurement through alternative sources in May compared to the previous year’s figures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“It is unprecedented for a prime minister to have a serving ISI chief removed like that,” said Basit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Asked if this meant Iran would not be charging ships for passage or threatening them, the minister said Iran wanted the strait to be "peaceful".

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Ultimately, Puzder said, Trump "feels that prime minister Orban is a good ally."

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Dozens of nations were invited to attend, but in the end the conference was dominated by three men: French premier Georges Clemenceau, British prime minister David Lloyd George, and American president Woodrow Wilson.

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

Related Words

• administrator
• aide
• delegate
• diplomat
• envoy
• executive
• official
• secretary