Department of State

noun phrase

: the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries

Examples of Department of State in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Michigan Department of State has suspended a driver education business in Flint, with no classes or instruction allowed until further notice. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026

In Texas, more than 22,000 women were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026

However, the Department of State is still encouraging international travelers to visit for the FIFA World Cup, setting up a dedicated website detailing visa requirements. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026

In 1946, three years before the creation of NATO, the Truman administration proposed buying Greenland for $100 million in gold, but the Danes didn’t accept the bid, according to Department of State documents declassified in the 1970s. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for Department of State

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate

Legal Definition

Department of State

Agency

federal executive division responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy. It is the president's principal means of conducting treaty negotiations and effecting agreements with foreign nations. Under its control are the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, seven bureaus of political affairs, the U.S. Foreign Service (including 270 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions, and numerous subagencies), and various offices of diplomatic security, foreign intelligence, policy analysis, international narcotics control, protocol, and passport and medical services. The department's legal adviser advises the secretary of state on all matters of international law arising in the conduct of foreign relations.