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

The estate of former first minister Alex Salmond is seeking sequestration – the Scottish legal equivalent of bankruptcy – due to costs linked to court action.

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The number of people killed in Jamaica as a result of Hurricane Melissa has risen to 28, the Caribbean nation's prime minister has announced.

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Peterson, now 77, is a retired minister and finds work “integrated into who I am.”

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Earlier this year, the first minister pledged his government would bring down NHS waiting lists and make it easier to get GP appointments.

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The Queen was in residence that day, with her published schedule including her regular weekly audience with the prime minister.

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Related Words

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