secretary

play

noun sec·re·tary \ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē, ˈse-kə-ˌter-, in rapid speech also ˈsek-ˌter-, especially British ˈse-k(r)ə-trē\

Simple Definition of secretary

: a person whose job is to handle records, letters, etc., for another person in an office
: a person in a club or other organization who is in charge of keeping letters and records
: an official who is selected by the President and is in charge of a particular department of the government

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of secretary

plural

secretaries

1 : one employed to handle correspondence and manage routine and detail work for a superior
2a : an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's legal interestsb : an officer of an organization or society responsible for its records and correspondence
3 : an officer of state who superintends a government administrative department <the secretary of labor>
4a : writing desk, escritoireb : a writing desk with a top section for books

secretarial

play \ˌse-krə-ˈter-ē-əl\ adjective

secretaryship

play \ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē-ˌship\ noun

See secretary defined for English-language learners

See secretary defined for kids

Examples of secretary in a sentence

You can set up an appointment with my secretary.
He works as a legal secretary.
He was the club's secretary.
He is a junior secretary at the embassy.

Illustration of secretary

Origin and Etymology of secretary

Middle English secretarie, from Medieval Latin secretarius, confidential employee, secretary, from Latin secretum secret, from neuter of secretus

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

SECRETARY Defined for Kids

secretary

play

noun sec·re·tary \ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē\

Definition of secretary for Students

plural

secretaries

1 : a person who is employed to take care of records, letters, and routine work for another person
2 : an officer of a business corporation or society who is in charge of the letters and records and who keeps minutes of meetings
3 : a government official in charge of a department <the secretary of education>
4 : a writing desk with a top section for books

Law Dictionary

secretary

noun , often cap sec·re·tary

Legal Definition of secretary

plural

secretaries

1 : an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's interests
2 : a government officer who superintends an administrative department