Illustration of secretary
- secretary 4b
secretary
noun
sec·re·tary
ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē 
ˈse-kə-ˌter-,
in rapid speech also ˈsek-ˌter-,
especially British ˈse-k(r)ə-trē
plural secretaries
1
: one employed to handle correspondence and manage routine and detail work for a superior
2
a
: 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 interests
b
: 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
4
a
b
: a writing desk with a top section for books
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
On Monday, after the Tribune’s story on Johnson’s lobbying team was published online, Williams filed paperwork with the Illinois secretary of state’s office to register the city of Chicago as one of his lobbying clients.
—
Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
The clause requires presidential appointment and Senate confirmation for officials in significant positions of authority – such as cabinet secretaries and other top agency officials.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
This sentiment accurately depicts the departure of Vincent Schiraldi as secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, and his obvious sour feelings regarding his firing.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
When asked about their preferred 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, 16 percent chose former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, 13 percent supported a second run by Kamala Harris, and 12 percent endorsed California Governor Gavin Newsom.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretary
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Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
The clause requires presidential appointment and Senate confirmation for officials in significant positions of authority – such as cabinet secretaries and other top agency officials.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
This sentiment accurately depicts the departure of Vincent Schiraldi as secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, and his obvious sour feelings regarding his firing.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
When asked about their preferred 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, 16 percent chose former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, 13 percent supported a second run by Kamala Harris, and 12 percent endorsed California Governor Gavin Newsom.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for secretary
Cite this Entry
“Secretary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretary. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
secretary
noun
sec·re·tary
ˈsek-rə-ˌter-ē
plural secretaries
1
: a person employed to handle records, letters, and routine work for another person
2
: an officer of a business corporation or society who has charge of the letters and records
3
: a government official in charge of a division
Secretary of State
4
: a desk with a top section for books
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