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MINISTER Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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View synonyms for minister

minister

[ min-uh-ster ]

noun

  1. a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
  2. a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.
  3. a person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department:

    the minister of finance.

  4. a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador. Compare envoy 1( def 1 ).
  5. a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.


verb (used with object)

  1. to administer or apply:

    to minister the last rites.

  2. Archaic. to furnish; supply.

verb (used without object)

  1. to perform the functions of a religious minister.
  2. to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.:

    to minister to the needs of the hungry.

    Synonyms: oblige, tend, answer

  3. to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

minister

/ ˈmɪnɪstə /

noun

  1. (esp in Presbyterian and some Nonconformist Churches) a member of the clergy
  2. a person appointed to head a government department
  3. any diplomatic agent accredited to a foreign government or head of state
  4. short for minister plenipotentiary or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary See envoy 1
  5. Also called (in full)minister resident a diplomat ranking after an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
  6. a person who attends to the needs of others, esp in religious matters
  7. a person who acts as the agent or servant of a person or thing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. introften foll byto to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)
  2. archaic.
    tr to provide; supply
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

minister

1
  1. A title used in many countries for members of cabinets and similar public officials, who are roughly equivalent to the officials in the United States cabinet. For example, a minister of foreign affairs will have duties similar to those of the secretary of state of the United States.

minister

2
  1. In many Protestant churches , the presiding clergyman. Ministers preach sermons; conduct services; officiate at baptisms , weddings, and funerals; and generally look after the needs of their congregation. Some Protestant churches refer to their clergy as pastors or preachers rather than ministers.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈministerˌship, noun
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Other Words From

  • pre·minis·ter verb (used without object)
  • sub·minis·ter noun
  • under·minis·ter noun
  • un·minis·tered adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of minister1

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English minister, ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister “servant,” from minus “less” (adverb form of minor minor ) + -ter, noun suffix; (for the verb) Middle English ministren, from Old French ministrer, from Latin ministrāre “to act as a servant, attend,” derivative of minister; master ( def )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of minister1

C13: via Old French from Latin: servant; related to minus less
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Example Sentences

He and Sir Keir Starmer were presented with large plates of Guyanese chicken, somewhat to the dismay of the vegetarian prime minister.

From BBC

It has announced a panel to work with ministers on the delivery of the recommendations.

From BBC

It comes after MPs voted against a Conservative call to have the government set up a national investigation, though ministers have not ruled out holding one in the future.

From BBC

The deputy prime minister said her party had supported devolution "for a reason".

From BBC

Many Labour MPs, among them cabinet ministers, believe there is little fat left to trim from the state.

From BBC

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