secretary of state

American  

Or Secretary of State

noun

1. the head and chief administrator of the U.S. Department of State.

2. British. any of several ministers in the British government.

   A new secretary of state for the Home Department has been appointed.

3. (in the U.S.) the appointed or elected official in a state government whose chief function is to distribute statutes, administer elections, keep archives, etc.

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secretary of state British  

noun

1. (in Britain) the head of any of several government departments

2. (in the US) the head of the government department in charge of foreign affairs ( State Department )

3. (in certain US states) an official with various duties, such as keeping records

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secretary of state Cultural  

1. The head of the United States Department of State and, as leading member of the cabinet, fourth in line of succession to the presidency. The secretary of state is charged with formulating American foreign policy and conducting relations with other nations.

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Etymology

Origin of secretary of state

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

"At the end of the day, Gallrein's best argument is that Trump wants him," said Trey Grayson, who served two terms as Kentucky's secretary of state and is now a Republican strategist.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

But departing Beijing, Marco Rubio, the president’s national security advisor and secretary of state, said that Washington’s position on Taiwan remained “unchanged.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

He is already the secretary of state, interim national security adviser and acting administrator of the U.S.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

The secretary of state took questions from reporters about the Strait of Hormuz, rising gas prices and the pressure campaign on Cuba.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Truman’s secretary of state, James Byrnes, replied that neither goal was realistic.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• cabinet minister