minister

[min-uh-ster]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

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

2. archaic,  (tr) to provide; supply

minister

¹

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.

minister

²

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

C13: via Old French from Latin: servant; related to minus less

Example Sentences

Andros returned to Boston on Nov. 16 and revoked the ministers’ proclamation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There is an underlying reason for all of this: Rachel Reeves, the prime minister and the rest of the government have long known this is a landmark moment for them.

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The plans, obtained by BBC News, show that Lammy, who is also deputy prime minister, wants to ask Parliament to end jury trials for defendants who would be jailed for up to five years.

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The prime minister backed her, insisting she would be in the job "for a very long time to come".

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The prime minister has apologised to a head teacher after leading primary school children in a version of the viral 6-7 dance meme.

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Related Words

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