ministry

[ min-uh-stree ]

/ ˈmɪn ə stri /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ministry 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.

Nearby words

ministrant, ministrate, ministration, ministrations, ministroke, ministry, minisub, minitower, minitrack, minium, minivacuum

Origin of ministry

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

Related forms

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ministry

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
Indeed, the Ministry of Interior released a report of 141 investigations against candidates accused of vote-buying around Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Wild and Wooly Elections|Anna Nemtsova|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On one of his social network pages Yarosh demanded Poroshenko make major changes in the ministry of interior.
Ukraine’s President Wowed Congress, But His Party Has a Dark Side|Anna Nemtsova|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Ministry of Heath is said to have ordered Sawyer not to travel.
How Bureaucrats Let Ebola Spread to Nigeria|Michael Daly|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Ministry of Finance nonetheless apparently authorized him to attend the conference in Nigeria.
How Bureaucrats Let Ebola Spread to Nigeria|Michael Daly|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The following day I received a letter asking me to call at the Ministry.
My Double Life|Sarah Bernhardt
He was a devoted priest, and spent his life and fortune in the service of his ministry.
Donahoe's Magazine, Vol. XV, No. 4, April, 1886|Various
It is not difficult to see what the motive and object of that Ministry: were in issuing the orders of Council.
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. II. (of II)|Moncure Daniel Conway
For other members of the Ministry there is occasional surcease from work, and some opportunity for recreation.
The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 30, June 1893|Various
"I don't believe any but fools enter the ministry nowadays," she wrote bitterly.
Anne Of The Island|Lucy Maud Montgomery

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

noun, plural min·is·tries.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of ministry

Related forms

Examples from the Web for ministry

British Dictionary definitions for ministry

ministry

noun plural -tries

Word Origin for ministry