secretariat

American  

[sek-ri-tair-ee-uht] / ˌsɛk rɪˈtɛər i ət /

Or secretariate

noun

1. the officials or office entrusted with administrative duties, maintaining records, and overseeing or performing secretarial duties, especially for an international organization.

   the secretariat of the United Nations.

2. a group or department of secretaries.

3. the place where a secretary transacts business, preserves records, etc.

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secretariat British  

/ ˌsɛkrɪˈtɛərɪət /

noun

1. 1. an office responsible for the secretarial, clerical, and administrative affairs of a legislative body, executive council, or international organization

   2. the staff of such an office

   3. the building or rooms in which such an office is housed

2. a body of secretaries

3. a secretary's place of work; office

4. the position of a secretary

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Etymology

Origin of secretariat

1805–15; < French secrétariat < Medieval Latin sēcrētāriātus. See secretary, -ate ³

Example Sentences

In response to this crunch, the U.N. has implemented historically large spending cuts, eliminated 3,000 secretariat posts, and slashed peacekeeping expenditures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Harfuch was forced to move into an apartment within the security secretariat, and was largely isolated from his family.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

Velasco, a millennial who came of age in the digital era, is among the youngest officials to head the secretariat.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

The group’s secretariat will provide further details of how this collective action will be implemented in due course.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

The secretariat was a subcommittee of the branch executive, which reported to the provincial secretary.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela