Department of State

noun phrase

: the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries

Examples of Department of State in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bowers made her Grand Ole Opry debut on her 18th birthday last July 30, and was named a U.S. Global Music Ambassador by the U.S. Department of State. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 July 2025 Over recent years, the Department of State have been submitting the annual report to Congress consistent with section 5 of the Elie Wiesel Act. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Department of State for comment. —Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025 Volunteers and camp employees were notified of these plans during training sessions, according to the inspection report shared by the Texas Department of State Health Services. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for Department of State

Rhymes for Department of State

See All Rhymes for Department of State

Browse Nearby Words

departmentize
Department of State
department stamp
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Department of State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Department%20of%20State. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Legal Definition

Department of State

Agency
federal executive division responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy. It is the president's principal means of conducting treaty negotiations and effecting agreements with foreign nations. Under its control are the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, seven bureaus of political affairs, the U.S. Foreign Service (including 270 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions, and numerous subagencies), and various offices of diplomatic security, foreign intelligence, policy analysis, international narcotics control, protocol, and passport and medical services. The department's legal adviser advises the secretary of state on all matters of international law arising in the conduct of foreign relations.
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a plate of arepas
Name That Dish! Some mouth-watering food for thought
See All