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

Nearly 60,000 blades have been either "seized or surrendered" in England and Wales as part of government efforts to halve knife crime within a decade, the interior ministry said Wednesday.

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Israel warned Sunday that its military would step up its attacks against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a day after the Lebanese health ministry reported four people killed in an Israeli air strike.

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Russia's defence ministry has claimed it thwarted the deployment of Ukrainian military intelligence special forces north-west of the town, saying all 11 troops who landed by helicopter had been killed.

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The ministry said it also maintains a comprehensive ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, applicable to all individuals regardless of age.

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China's commerce ministry said Saturday it is considering exempting some Nexperia chips from an export ban imposed over a row with Dutch officials that has alarmed European businesses.

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Related Words

• bureau 
• department