ministry

[ min-uh-stree ]

/ ˈmɪn ə stri /

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See synonyms for: ministry / ministries on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural min·is·tries.

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

the body or class of ministers of religion; clergy.

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

the body of ministers of state.

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

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

the term of office of a minister of state.

an act or instance of ministering; ministration; service.

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of ministry

1175–1225; Middle English <Latin ministerium, equivalent to ministerminister + -ium-ium

OTHER WORDS FROM ministry

pre·min·is·try, noun, plural pre·min·is·tries.pseu·do·min·is·try, noun, plural pseu·do·min·is·tries.un·der·min·is·try, noun, plural un·der·min·is·tries.

Words nearby ministry

minister without portfolio, ministrant, ministrate, ministration, ministroke, ministry, minisub, minitower, minitrack, minium, Mini-Vac

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ministry in a sentence

The ministry continues to work with companies to ensure proper vaccine trials are taking place in Japan, he said.
Participant who died in AstraZeneca trial had not been given vaccine|kdunn6|October 22, 2020|Fortune
Heck, I probably would have gotten into the ministry, but I like big butts, I cannot lie.
He Ain’t Heavy. He’s a Child Molester.|Eugene Robinson|October 20, 2020|Ozy
In almost every country, this is a challenge for different ministries and public services that are used to operating independently.
Why We Need a Tech-Led Approach to Beat COVID-19|Tracy Moran|October 20, 2020|Ozy
I think as I grew, I let my ministry grow and my intellect grow and my commitment grow.
How James Brown Became a Father Figure to Al Sharpton|Joshua Eferighe|October 8, 2020|Ozy

“The system of regulation is not working,” says Mack, who argues that the dramatic changes in Hong Kong now require the ministry of defense to regulate Cellebrite and stop all sales there.
Israeli phone hacking company faces court fight over sales to Hong Kong|Patrick O'Neill|August 25, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The Italian foreign ministry has declined to comment on the video.
Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages|Jamie Dettmer, Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It would take a few years for the ministry to change its tune on Borat.
When Countries Lose Their Shit Over American Movies|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Italian health ministry said it could not prove a direct correlation between the flu vaccine and the deaths.
Did This Flu Vaccine Kill 13?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There, she and other mothers can take ministry-sponsored courses, including on cooking and avoiding marital conflict.
Allah, Mom, and Baklava: Turkish President Uses Mothers and Kids as Political Pawns|Xanthe Ackerman|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An Italian Interior Ministry official told The Daily Beast that issues in Africa offered a more accurate explanation.
Britain’s Let-Em-All-Die Policy|Nico Hines, Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The policy thus initiated found final expression in the famous Proclamation of 1763, in the early months of Grenville's ministry.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
For new taxes, however, it would doubtless be necessary to await the formation of a new ministry.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
The formation of a new ministry was not an unusual occurrence in the early years of King George the Third.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
It is dutiful for some to give themselves to the work of the ministry, and to vow to do its duties; but not dutiful for all.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Does the experience of the last ten years justify the country in placing confidence, on such a point, in a Whig Ministry?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ministry

ministry

/ (ˈmɪnɪstrɪ) /

noun plural -tries

the profession or duties of a minister of religion
the performance of these duties

ministers of religion or government ministers considered collectively

the tenure of a minister

a government department headed by a minister
the buildings of such a department

Word Origin for ministry

C14: from Latin ministerium service, from minister servant; see minister

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

ministry

Origin of ministry

OTHER WORDS FROM ministry

Words nearby ministry

Words related to ministry

How to use ministry in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ministry

Word Origin for ministry