Main Entry:

min·is·try

Pronunciation:

\ˈmi-nə-strē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural min·is·tries

Date:

14th century

1: ministration2: the office, duties, or functions of a minister3: the body of ministers of religion : clergy4: a person or thing through which something is accomplished : agency, instrumentality5: the period of service or office of a minister or ministry6often 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 cabinet7 a: a government department presided over by a minister b: the building in which the business of a ministry is transacted