secretariat

or sec·re·tar·i·ate

[ sek-ri-tair-ee-uht ]

/ ˌsɛk rɪˈtɛər i ət /

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noun

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.

a group or department of secretaries.

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

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Origin of secretariat

1805–15; <French secrétariat<Medieval Latin sēcrētāriātus.See secretary, -ate³

Words nearby secretariat

secret agent, secretagog, secretagogue, secretaire, secretarial, secretariat, secretary, secretary bird, secretary-general, secretary of defense, secretary of state

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use secretariat in a sentence

Krizek, who will be in the minority next year, would also like to see a state Secretariat for Tribal Affairs, and a state law enshrining the right to deny a permit without the tribes’ consent.
New rule requires consultation with Virginia tribes about development|Jenna Portnoy|November 18, 2021|Washington Post
In this case, the Vatican is not yet providing any exemptions, though it said the issue would be assessed by the Secretariat of State, with input from the city-state’s health department.
Fauci says three shots will be the ‘optimal regimen’ of vaccination|Meryl Kornfield, Caroline Anders, Adela Suliman, Bryan Pietsch|September 29, 2021|Washington Post
And also the Secretary General of the United Nations has also invited me to the Secretariat of the U.N. in New York.
Will There Soon Be Three Living Popes?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But as hard as she tried, she couldn't help but make her pastel cardigan titillating in Secretariat.
Is Diane Lane Too Sexy for Hillary?|Anna Brand|July 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

They also failed to include a single woman among the 40 secretariat seats.
Post Election, Obama Gambles on Syrian Rebels|Mike Giglio|November 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The field is so weak it would make a lame old plowhorse look like Secretariat.
Daily Beast Writers Weigh In on Mitt Romney’s New Hampshire Primary Victory||January 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The secretariat shall comprise a Secretary General and such secretaries and staff as may be required.
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII|Various
The secretaries and staff of the secretariat shall be appointed by the Secretary General with the approval of the council.
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII|Various
All positions under or in connection with the League, including the secretariat, shall be open equally to men and women.
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII|Various
An increase to the Secretariat had been sanctioned in April, 1887.
The Pacification of Burma|Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite
Having found the Secretariat, we explain that we are British travellers and desire to pay our respects to the Governor.
A Journal of a Tour in the Congo Free State|Marcus Dorman

British Dictionary definitions for secretariat

secretariat

/ (ˌsɛkrɪˈtɛərɪət) /

noun

an office responsible for the secretarial, clerical, and administrative affairs of a legislative body, executive council, or international organization
the staff of such an office
the building or rooms in which such an office is housed

a body of secretaries

a secretary's place of work; office

the position of a secretary

Word Origin for secretariat

C19: via French from Medieval Latin sēcrētāriātus, from sēcrētārius secretary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012