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

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

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

These purges, analysts say, effectively have transformed the Central Military Commission from a decision-making body into a personal secretariat, cementing Xi as the sole arbiter of military power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The treaty will officially enter into force on Saturday, and the host country of the eventual secretariat will be decided later this year.

From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026

The secretariat returned the payment to the company after the connection to the Israeli government was verified, the report added.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

I knew that P. W. Botha had created something called the State Security Council, a shadowy secretariat of security experts and intelligence officials.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela