ministry

[min-uh-stree]

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.

ministry

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• preministry noun
• pseudoministry noun
• underministry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ministry¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ministry¹

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

Example Sentences

The number of people killed by bears in Japan this year has reached a record high, the country's environment ministry has said.

Read more on BBC

At least 67,967 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry, whose figures are seen by the UN as reliable.

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All claims have been denied by China, with foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating: "We firmly oppose peddling China spy narratives and vilifying China."

Read more on BBC

The Thai finance ministry nominated 10 candidates to replace three board directors who are soon to end their terms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A blast targeting a bus in Syria's eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Thursday killed at least five defence ministry personnel, an official from the ministry told AFP.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• bureau 
• department