ministry

American  

[min-uh-stree] / ˈmɪn ə stri /

noun

plural

ministries

1. the service, functions, or profession of a minister of religion.

2. the body or class of ministers of religion; clergy.

3. the service, function, or office of a minister of state.

4. the body of ministers of state.

5. (usually initial capital letter) any of the administrative governmental departments of certain countries usually under the direction of a minister of state.

6. (usually initial capital letter) the building that houses such an administrative department.

7. the term of office of a minister of state.

8. an act or instance of ministering; ministration; service.

9. something that serves as an agency, instrument, or means.

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ministry British  

/ ˈmɪnɪstrɪ /

noun

1. 1. the profession or duties of a minister of religion

   2. the performance of these duties

2. ministers of religion or government ministers considered collectively

3. the tenure of a minister

4. 1. a government department headed by a minister

   2. the buildings of such a department

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Other Word Forms

• preministry noun
• pseudoministry noun
• underministry noun

Etymology

Origin of ministry

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin ministerium, from minister minister + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

A foreign ministry statement on Tuesday however said Santiago "has decided to withdraw Chile's backing for ex-president Michelle Bachelet as candidate for the post of secretary general of the United Nations."

From Barron's

Saqlawi of the culture ministry said he believed attacks on historic sites were intentional.

From Barron's

The UAE facilitated the release, the ministry said, adding that the decision was made on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of "goodwill".

From Barron's

The Gulf states will need to re-evaluate their shared security after the war, which has resulted in a "breakdown of the security system," a Qatar foreign ministry spokesman said.

From Barron's

In a post on Telegram, Moldova's foreign ministry said the attacks "undermine regional energy security and endanger critical civilian infrastructure".

From BBC

Related Words

• bureau
• department