ministerial

adjective

min·is·te·ri·al | \ ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl

Definition of ministerial

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of a minister or the ministry

2a : being or having the characteristics of an act or duty prescribed by law as part of the duties of an administrative office

b : relating to or being an act done after ascertaining the existence of a specified state of facts in obedience to a legal order without exercise of personal judgment or discretion

3 : acting or active as an agent

Other Words from ministerial Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About ministerial

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Synonyms & Antonyms for ministerial

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples of ministerial in a Sentence

She holds a ministerial office. They function in a ministerial capacity in the embassy.

Recent Examples on the Web Women, who previously made up a little more than a quarter of the country’s Parliament and 6.5 percent of its ministerial posts, have been excluded from the Taliban’s interim government. — Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2021 For months, Hariri has been complaining that political gridlock is preventing him from naming cabinet members and has specifically blamed Aoun for demanding that ministerial posts be filled with people of his own choice. — Washington Post, 15 July 2021 Kishida replaced all but two of Suga's 20 Cabinet members and 13 will hold ministerial posts for the first time, according to the lineup announced by new Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno. — Mari Yamaguchi, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2021 The court has issued decisions about the ministerial exception in recent years, finding in favor of the religious schools. — Julie Moreau, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2021 Winston Churchill was First Lord of the Admiralty; his first ministerial appointment since being banished into the political wilderness in 1929. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2021 The ministerial meetings this week include the ASEAN Regional Forum, a security conference where North Korea attends along with the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea. — Jim Gomez, Star Tribune, 1 Aug. 2021 After that, silencing the opposition becomes merely a ministerial function. — Mario Loyola, National Review, 29 July 2021 The Knesset would then have three weeks to present a prime ministerial candidate. — Felicia Schwartz, WSJ, 15 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ministerial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for ministerial

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin ministeriālis "serving in an office (manorial or ecclesiastical)," going back to Late Latin, "serving, performing a duty," from Latin ministerium "activity of a servant, ministry" + -ālis -al entry 1

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Dictionary Entries Near ministerial

minister's face

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Last Updated

23 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 24 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for ministerial

ministerial

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of ministerial

: of or relating to a government minister

See the full definition for ministerial in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ministerial

adjective

min·is·te·ri·al | \ ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl

Legal Definition of ministerial

1 : being or having the characteristics of an act or duty prescribed by law as part of the duties of an administrative office

2 : relating to or being an act done after ascertaining the existence of a specified state of facts in obedience to legal and especially statutory mandate without exercise of personal judgment or discretion — see also mandamus — compare discretionary

3 : relating to a minister or ministry