ministry

[ min-uh-stree ]

noun

, plural min·is·tries.

1. the service, functions, or profession of a minister of religion.
2. the body or class of ministers of religion; clergy.
3. the service, function, or office of a minister of state.
4. the body of ministers of state.
5. (usually initial capital letter) any of the administrative governmental departments of certain countries usually under the direction of a minister of state.
6. (usually initial capital letter) the building that houses such an administrative department.
7. the term of office of a minister of state.
8. an act or instance of ministering; ministration; service.
9. something that serves as an agency, instrument, or means.

ministry

/ ˈmɪnɪstrɪ /

noun

1. 1. the profession or duties of a minister of religion
   2. the performance of these duties
2. ministers of religion or government ministers considered collectively
3. the tenure of a minister
4. 1. a government department headed by a minister
   2. the buildings of such a department

Other Words From

• pre·minis·try noun plural preministries
• pseudo·minis·try noun plural pseudoministries
• under·minis·try noun plural underministries

Word History and Origins

Origin of ministry¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin ministerium, from minister minister + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of ministry¹

C14: from Latin ministerium service, from minister servant; see minister

Example Sentences

Israel responded by launching a military campaign to eliminate Hamas, during which at least 44,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

From BBC

Russia’s foreign ministry did not respond to our request for comment.

From BBC

He’s played Frankenstein’s monster in “Penny Dreadful,” Tolkien’s Tom Bombadil in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” Winston Churchill in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” twin pirates in “Our Flag Means Death” and 10 different creepy English villagers in Alex Garland’s horror fable “Men.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Adani Group was set to invest $1.85bn in Kenya's main airport in exchange for a contract to run it for 30 years, as well as a $736m deal with the energy ministry to construct power lines.

From BBC

The home affairs ministry however denied the state’s involvement in the matter.

From BBC

Related Words

• bureau
• department