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

Origin of ministry

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

Related formspre·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

Word Origin and History for ministry

ministry

late 14c., "function of a priest," from Old French menistere "service, ministry; position, post, employment," and directly from Latin ministerium "office, service, attendance, ministry," from minister (see minister (n.)). Began to be used 1916 as name of certain departments in British government.

ministry

noun, plural min·is·tries.

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Nearby words

Origin of ministry

Examples from the Web for ministry

ministry

noun plural -tries

Word Origin for ministry

ministry