ministry
noun
min·is·try
ˈmi-nə-strē 
plural ministries
1
: ministration
the ingenuity of destruction … had outrun the ministry of healing—
Dixon Wecter
Dixon Wecter2
: the office, duties, or functions of a minister
was well prepared for the ministry
4
: a person or thing through which something is accomplished : agency, instrumentality
heroic believers become such by the ministry of heroic pain—Austin Phelps
Austin Phelps5
: the period of service or office of a minister or ministry
Many reforms were enacted during his ministry.
6
often capitalized
a
: the body of ministers governing a nation or state from which a smaller cabinet (see cabinet entry 1 sense 3b) is sometimes selected
b
: the group of ministers constituting a cabinet
7
a
: a government department presided over by a minister
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
b
: the building in which the business of a ministry is transacted
Examples of ministry in a Sentence
a member of the ministry
She learned a lot during her first year of ministry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Newsweek has reached out the State Department and the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Military and civilian staff from defense and foreign ministries could work together to develop proposals for governance and decision-making processes, including personnel structures and consultation mechanisms that form the engine rooms of day-to-day alliance management.
—Ely Ratner, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2025
During Trump’s first term, China’s Ministry of Education warned students about rising rejections rates and shorter terms for visas in the U.S.
Last year, the Chinese foreign ministry protested that a number of Chinese students had been interrogated and sent home upon arrival at U.S. airports.
—Rajesh Roy, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
The United States and Vietnam have concluded a second round of trade negotiations according to Vietnam’s trade ministry, which noted significant progress being made in talks scheduled from May 19-22 in Washington.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministry
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Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Military and civilian staff from defense and foreign ministries could work together to develop proposals for governance and decision-making processes, including personnel structures and consultation mechanisms that form the engine rooms of day-to-day alliance management.
—Ely Ratner, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 2025
During Trump’s first term, China’s Ministry of Education warned students about rising rejections rates and shorter terms for visas in the U.S.
Last year, the Chinese foreign ministry protested that a number of Chinese students had been interrogated and sent home upon arrival at U.S. airports.
—Rajesh Roy, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
The United States and Vietnam have concluded a second round of trade negotiations according to Vietnam’s trade ministry, which noted significant progress being made in talks scheduled from May 19-22 in Washington.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministry
Cite this Entry
“Ministry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministry. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ministry
noun
min·is·try
ˈmin-ə-strē
plural ministries
1
: the action of ministering
2
: the office, duties, or work of a minister
3
a
: the body of ministers governing a nation or state
b
: a government department headed by a minister
c
: the building in which a ministry is housed
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