ministerial

adjective

min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl How to pronounce ministerial (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a minister or the ministry
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
ministerially adverb

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
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.
With an impressive academic background and decades of ministerial work, Dr. Joseph has guided and inspired countless individuals through his preaching and writings. Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025 The approval process for the project is ministerial, meaning the applicant does not need to seek public input and that review by city staff does not need to include public hearings. Robert Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 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 In the city’s initial ministerial review in 2020, the developer was asked to confirm that the science and research uses would generate up to 3,540 ADT, and that accessory retail and service uses would be non-trip generating and therefore not count against the square footage. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ministerial

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin ministeriālis "serving in an office (manorial or ecclesiastical)," going back to Late Latin, "serving, performing a duty," from Latin ministerium "activity of a servant, ministry" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ministerial was in 1561

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

ministerial

adjective
min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmin-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl How to pronounce ministerial (audio)
: of or relating to a minister or ministry

Legal Definition

ministerial

adjective
min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl How to pronounce ministerial (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ministerial

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