secretary of defense

Cultural  

1. The civilian head of the United States Department of Defense and a member of the cabinet, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The secretary of defense works with civilian and military advisers to formulate American military policies and make foreign policy recommendations to the president.

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Example Sentences

“Imagine the United States Constitution fixed the salary of the secretary of defense at the level of what it was in 1791,” says Democratic Rep. Russell Muirhead, a Dartmouth government professor who backs both the deletion and higher pay.

From The Wall Street Journal

Møller represented Denmark during negotiations with Secretary of Defense Colin Powell that led to the most recent amendment, in 2004, of the U.S.-Denmark Defense Treaty of 1951 concerning Greenland.

From The Wall Street Journal

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth toured the factory of Long Beach rocket and satellite maker Rocket Lab, one of a new wave of Southern California aerospace companies.

From Los Angeles Times

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced in November a policy to speed up weapons development by first finding capabilities in the commercial market before the government attempts to develop new systems.

From Los Angeles Times

On Nov. 5, the day before the Senate was to vote on a war powers resolution to halt and prevent hostilities within or against Venezuela by U.S. armed forces, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and White House counsel had a private briefing with senators.

From Los Angeles Times