plenipotentiary

American  

[plen-uh-puh-ten-shee-er-ee, -shuh-ree] / ˌplɛn ə pəˈtɛn ʃiˌɛr i, -ʃə ri /

noun

plural

plenipotentiaries

1. a person, especially a diplomatic agent, invested with full power or authority to transact business on behalf of another.

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adjective

1. invested with full power or authority, as a diplomatic agent.

2. conferring or bestowing full power, as a commission.

3. absolute or full, as power.

plenipotentiary British  

/ ˌplɛnɪpəˈtɛnʃərɪ /

adjective

1. (esp of a diplomatic envoy) invested with or possessing full power or authority

2. conferring full power or authority

3. (of power or authority) full; absolute

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noun

1. a person invested with full authority to transact business, esp a diplomat authorized to represent a country See also envoy 1

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.

Example Sentences

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

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

Among those attending the event will be Newark town mayor Laurence Goff, Jan Dziedziczak, the Polish government's plenipotentiary for Poles abroad and Wojciech Labuda, the Polish Prime Minister's plenipotentiary for memorial site protection.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2022

The agency’s plenipotentiary conference, which takes place every four years, began on Monday in Bucharest, Romania.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2022

On the 28th of October this commission was discharged and Franklin was appointed sole plenipotentiary to the French court.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various