Main Entry: min·is·try

Pronunciation: \ˈmi-nə-strē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural min·is·tries

Date: 14th century

1 : ministration
2 : the office, duties, or functions of a minister
3 : the body of ministers of religion : clergy
4 : a person or thing through which something is accomplished : agency, instrumentality
5 : the period of service or office of a minister or ministry
6 often capitalized a : the body of ministers governing a nation or state from which a smaller cabinet is sometimes selected b : the group of ministers constituting a cabinet
7 a : a government department presided over by a minister b : the building in which the business of a ministry is transacted