ministerial

[ min-uh-steer-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to the ministry of religion, or to a minister or other member of the clergy.
2. pertaining to a ministry or minister of state.
3. pertaining to or invested with delegated executive authority.
4. of ministry or service.
5. serving as an instrument or means; instrumental.

ministerial

/ ˌmɪnɪˈstɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a minister of religion or his office
2. of or relating to a government minister or ministry

   a ministerial act

3. often capital of or supporting the ministry or government against the opposition
4. law relating to or possessing delegated executive authority
5. law (of an office, duty, etc) requiring the following of instructions, without power to exercise any personal discretion in doing so
6. acting as an agent or cause; instrumental

Derived Forms

• ˌminisˈterially, adverb

Other Words From

• minis·teri·al·ly adverb
• anti·minis·teri·al adjective
• anti·minis·teri·al·ly adverb
• inter·minis·teri·al adjective
• nonmin·is·teri·al adjective
• nonmin·is·teri·al·ly adverb
• pseudo·minis·teri·al adjective
• quasi-minis·teri·al adjective
• semi·minis·teri·al adjective
• unmin·is·teri·al adjective
• unmin·is·teri·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ministerial¹

1555–65; < Late Latin ministeriālis, equivalent to Latin ministeri ( um ) ministry + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

There is also ministerial discretion to deport foreign nationals for lesser offences if it is “conducive to the public good”.

From BBC

“These fundamental issues remain unaddressed and therefore the council cannot support this action and will be making representations at ministerial level.”

From BBC

The Westminster leader was also asked about the row over Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray using a ministerial car to attend football games.

From BBC

Gray said all the engagements were “official ministerial business”, and that he had not planned to attend only Aberdeen club matches.

From BBC

Meanwhile, the prime minister's independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, will now have the power to launch investigations into alleged breaches of the code without seeking the consent of the prime minister.

From BBC

Related Words

• consular
• diplomatic