minister

[ min-uh-ster ]

noun

1. a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
2. a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.
3. a person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department:

   the minister of finance.

4. a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador. Compare envoy ¹( def 1 ).
5. a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.

verb (used with object)

1. to administer or apply:

   to minister the last rites.

2. Archaic. to furnish; supply.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform the functions of a religious minister.
2. to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.:

   to minister to the needs of the hungry.

   Synonyms: oblige, tend, answer

3. to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

minister

/ ˈmɪnɪstə /

noun

1. (esp in Presbyterian and some Nonconformist Churches) a member of the clergy
2. a person appointed to head a government department
3. any diplomatic agent accredited to a foreign government or head of state
4. short for minister plenipotentiary or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary See envoy 1
5. Also called (in full)minister resident a diplomat ranking after an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
6. a person who attends to the needs of others, esp in religious matters
7. a person who acts as the agent or servant of a person or thing

verb

1. introften foll byto to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)
2. archaic.
   tr to provide; supply

minister

¹

1. A title used in many countries for members of cabinets and similar public officials, who are roughly equivalent to the officials in the United States cabinet. For example, a minister of foreign affairs will have duties similar to those of the secretary of state of the United States.

minister

²

1. In many Protestant churches , the presiding clergyman. Ministers preach sermons; conduct services; officiate at baptisms , weddings, and funerals; and generally look after the needs of their congregation. Some Protestant churches refer to their clergy as pastors or preachers rather than ministers.

Derived Forms

• ˈministerˌship, noun

Other Words From

• pre·minis·ter verb (used without object)
• sub·minis·ter noun
• under·minis·ter noun
• un·minis·tered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English minister, ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister “servant,” from minus “less” (adverb form of minor minor ) + -ter, noun suffix; (for the verb) Middle English ministren, from Old French ministrer, from Latin ministrāre “to act as a servant, attend,” derivative of minister; master ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

C13: via Old French from Latin: servant; related to minus less

Example Sentences

Whether the prime minister will find redemption or sink into BBG infamy remains to be seen.

From Los Angeles Times

In November, it issued arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister and former defence minister, as well as the military commander of Hamas.

From BBC

As the new administration is assembled and minds start to turn to how to realise Trump’s ambition, the former foreign minister believes one overriding factor will drive policy.

From BBC

John Prescott, the Labour Party stalwart who rose from being a steward on a cruise ship to serving as deputy prime minister for a record ten years, has died at the age of 86.

From BBC

A government minister in the Netherlands announced that the country is prepared to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if either sets foot in its territory.

From Salon