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

In August, Conservative shadow minister John Glen called for "full transparency" adding: "Keir Starmer can no longer try to brush this under the carpet."

From BBC

The deputy prime minister said she would ensure a meeting with Riberio-Addy to discuss the issue.

From BBC

The minister rejected a Liberal Democrat calls to scrap the ban on asylum seekers working if they have waited more than three months for a decision.

From BBC

Earlier, Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba defended the US's position, saying it is within international law, but adds there are "moral ramifications for human rights defenders, and I totally get them".

From BBC

Baroness Foster, the former first minister, said Mr Reid's death was “incredibly sad news”.

From BBC