under secretary

American  

[uhn-der-sek-ri-ter-ee] / ˈʌn dərˈsɛk rɪˌtɛr i /

Or undersecretary

noun

(often initial capital letters)

1. an official who is subordinate to a principal secretary, as in the U.S. cabinet.

   Under Secretary of the Treasury.

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Etymology

Origin of under secretary

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

under secretary

Emil Michael, under secretary for research and engineering, has led the Defense Department’s negotiations with Anthropic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026

The United States "expressed support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks", Allison Hooker, the under secretary of state for political affairs, wrote on X after talks with her Pakistani counterpart.

From Barron's ● Feb. 28, 2026

Although he was seen as a "One Nation" Conservative, it was Margaret Thatcher who gave him his first ministerial post as under secretary in the Scotland Office.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2024

"You don't want your next deputy under secretary of the Treasury to go work for a lobbyist for four years,' Fagan said. "You want them to be doing policy planning.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2024

When Lord Aberdeen became Minister for Foreign Affairs he selected George Smythe as under secretary; in which capacity he acquitted himself with great ability.

From Reminiscences of Captain Gronow by Gronow, R. H. (Rees Howell)