minister
a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.
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.
a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador.: Compare envoy1 (def. 1).
a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.
to administer or apply: to minister the last rites.
Archaic. to furnish; supply.
to perform the functions of a religious minister.
to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.: to minister to the needs of the hungry.
to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.
Origin of minister
1Other words for minister
Other words from minister
- pre·min·is·ter, verb (used without object)
- sub·min·is·ter, noun
- un·der·min·is·ter, noun
- un·min·is·tered, adjective
Words that may be confused with minister
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use minister in a sentence
According to one version of events, Cain and Cummings lobbied the prime minister to give Cain that coveted position.
Boris Johnson’s top aide was a key architect of Brexit. But as the split looms, he’s quitting government | kdunn6 | November 13, 2020 | FortuneFor example, Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest serving prime minister, is the grandson of a prime minister and a prominent politician.
Why We Judge People Based on Their Relatives - Facts So Romantic | Diana Fleischman | November 11, 2020 | NautilusHow Sweden acts now will determine “if we will be able to celebrate Christmas as normal,” the prime minister said.
Sweden imposes partial lockdown on bars and restaurants for the first time since pandemic started | Rachel King | November 11, 2020 | FortuneRasmus Jarlov, a member of the Conservative People’s Party and a former business minister, said the plan should be shelved until more details are known.
Denmark’s prime minister says its mink population will be culled—but she’s facing political resistance | kdunn6 | November 9, 2020 | FortuneThe prime minister also announced that state payments will be made to furloughed workers of as much as 80% of their wages through the new lockdown period.
Boris Johnson announces another partial lockdown for England as COVID-19 cases surge | kdunn6 | October 31, 2020 | Fortune
Instead he has emphasized core elements of the social gospel like combatting poverty and ministering to the sick and downtrodden.
Though their faith does not provide simple policy solutions, it demands that they be disposed towards ministering to the needy.
I know the symptoms, they are unmistakable: they always are, among the ministering classes.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsIf a ministering angel walks abroad through this world of many sorrows, it is my wife Barbara.
Jaffery | William J. LockeOn the calling of the Long Parliament, he and his wife returned to England, and in 1642 we find him ministering to his old flock.
East Anglia | J. Ewing RitchieThe wounded had been gathered into a school-house, and the warm-hearted women of the place were ministering to their comfort.
The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.Before long the eyes unclosed and fastened dreamily on the ministering maiden.
Maid Sally | Harriet A. Cheever
British Dictionary definitions for minister
/ (ˈmɪnɪstə) /
(esp in Presbyterian and some Nonconformist Churches) a member of the clergy
a person appointed to head a government department
any diplomatic agent accredited to a foreign government or head of state
short for minister plenipotentiary or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary: See envoy 1 (def. 1)
Also called (in full): minister resident a diplomat ranking after an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
a person who attends to the needs of others, esp in religious matters
a person who acts as the agent or servant of a person or thing
(intr often foll by to) to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)
(tr) archaic to provide; supply
Origin of minister
1Derived forms of minister
- ministership, noun
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
Cultural definitions for minister (1 of 2)
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.
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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