minister without portfolio

American  

noun

PLURAL

ministers without portfolios

1. a minister of state who is not appointed to any specific department in a government.

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Etymology

Origin of minister without portfolio

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The former tennis professional is a close friend of the Emir, a minister without portfolio in the national government, and visible sign of the 2022 World Cup host nation’s influence on European soccer.

From Seattle Times

Newcomers at the cabinet meeting on Friday will include Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who replaces Alok Sharma as international development secretary; Amanda Milling, who is minister without portfolio and chairwoman of the Conservative Party; and Suella Braverman, who takes on the role of attorney general after the prime minister asked Mr Cox to step down.

From BBC

Despite having a reputation for taking action against party members who fell out of line, Mr Muscat failed to take serious action - Mr Mizzi was made a minister without portfolio and Mr Schembri was kept in place.

From BBC

No 10 revealed that Johnson has tasked a series of new cabinet committees with preparing for no deal, with overall responsibility going to Michael Gove, effectively now a minister without portfolio.

From The Guardian

He is also a minister without portfolio in the Qatari government.

From Reuters