ministry
English meaning: Ministry
Definition
Government department, at the administrative level normally headed by a minister (or equivalent rank, e.g. secretary of state), who holds it as portfolio, especially in a constitutional monarchy, but also as a polity
Example
“She works for the ministry of finance.”
Another example: “After seminary he devoted his life to the ministry.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Formal and political; a government department headed by a minister, or (in religious contexts) the work and office of clergy. Common in news and official writing. Plural 'ministries'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'ministerium' (service, office), from 'minister' (servant); entered English via Old French in the 14th century.
Synonyms
- department
- bureau
- directorate
- office
Related Words
Common Collocations
- foreign ministry
- ministry of defence
- government ministry
- ministry official
- ministry of health
- ordained ministry
Word Forms
ministry (n, sing.); ministries (pl.); minister (n/v); ministerial (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B