ministerial
adjective
min·is·te·ri·al
ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl 
2
a
: being or having the characteristics of an act or duty prescribed by law as part of the duties of an administrative office
b
: relating to or being an act done after ascertaining the existence of a specified state of facts in obedience to a legal order without exercise of personal judgment or discretion
3
: acting or active as an agent
Examples of ministerial in a Sentence
She holds a ministerial office.
They function in a ministerial capacity in the embassy.
Recent Examples on the Web
This joint ministerial decision was designed to lend legitimacy to the process established under the EU-Turkey deal, but was mired in logistical and legal challenges.
—
Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Their efforts were undermined by regular flux at ministerial level, with the UK having had four prime ministers in as many years.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Markel could not avoid the bar of the ministerial exception by claiming his wage dispute with OU was secular.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
Similarly, state laws mandate that certification is a mandatory, ministerial duty, preventing officials from arbitrarily refusing to certify election results.
—Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
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.
Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Their efforts were undermined by regular flux at ministerial level, with the UK having had four prime ministers in as many years.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Markel could not avoid the bar of the ministerial exception by claiming his wage dispute with OU was secular.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
Similarly, state laws mandate that certification is a mandatory, ministerial duty, preventing officials from arbitrarily refusing to certify election results.
—Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
Cite this Entry
“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ministerial
adjective
min·is·te·ri·al
ˌmin-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl
: of or relating to a minister or ministry
Legal Definition
ministerial
adjective
min·is·te·ri·al
ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl
1
: being or having the characteristics of an act or duty prescribed by law as part of the duties of an administrative office
2
: relating to or being an act done after ascertaining the existence of a specified state of facts in obedience to legal and especially statutory mandate without exercise of personal judgment or discretion see also mandamus compare discretionary
3
: relating to a minister or ministry
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share