plenipotentiary
Americannoun
-
plenipotentiaries
plural
adjective
-
invested with full power or authority, as a diplomatic agent.
-
conferring or bestowing full power, as a commission.
-
absolute or full, as power.
adjective
-
(esp of a diplomatic envoy) invested with or possessing full power or authority
-
conferring full power or authority
-
(of power or authority) full; absolute
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of plenipotentiary
From the Medieval Latin word plēnipotentiārius, dating back to 1635–45. See plenipotent, -i-, -ary
Explanation
An ambassador who independently represents their home country in another country can be called a plenipotentiary. The word plenipotentiary comes from Latin roots, plenus, "complete or full," and potentem, "powerful." Someone who is a plenipotentiary literally has full powers to represent their government — the prime minister or president has officially authorized them to sign treaties or other agreements on behalf of that government. Some (but not all) diplomats are plenipotentiaries.
Vocabulary lists containing plenipotentiary
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Words with 15 or More Letters, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Great Expectations
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Speer was given a 20-year prison sentence while Fritz Sauckel, Hitler’s general plenipotentiary for labor mobilization, was hanged for almost exactly the same crimes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 24, 2025
"We have not identified any information that we are dealing with sabotage," Stanislaw Zaryn, the Polish government's plenipotentiary for information security, told the Polsat News broadcaster.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2023
According to Marcin Horala, the Polish government's plenipotentiary responsible for overseeing the hub's construction, it is one of the most important projects underway in central and eastern Europe for military and civilian use.
From Reuters ● Nov. 21, 2022
The third and final point of the plan would grant the region its own prime minister, who would be “a legitimate and plenipotentiary representative of ARD in talks with international structures.”
From Slate ● Mar. 16, 2022
In 1679 Gyllenstjerna was appointed the Swedish plenipotentiary at the peace congress of Lund.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various
They were appointed as "plenipotentiaries" and yet were instructed not take any final decisions without their cabinet's permission.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2021
In his biography, Will to Power, Ronan Fanning accused de Valera of failing to explain his strategy properly to the plenipotentiaries before the talks began.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2021
The US President, Woodrow Wilson, briefly raised the question of women’s political representation with his fellow plenipotentiaries, but few wished to see women’s rights recognized as a legitimate matter for international agreement.
From Time ● Apr. 2, 2015
The satraps and plenipotentiaries of her realms preceded her.
From Time Magazine Archive
Napoleon, as if he were already the Emperor of France, waited not for the plenipotentiaries from Paris, but signed the treaty in his own name.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
