ministerial
adjective
min·is·te·ri·al
ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl 
2
a
: 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
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
Next, approval is needed at the ESA ministerial meeting in Bremen, Germany, in November, allowing a mission definition phase, leading to mission adoption in 2034 and a launch around 2042.
—
Andrew Jones, Space.com, 27 Sep. 2025
On Tuesday, during a high level ministerial meeting at the U.N. co-presided by Haiti, Canada pledged an additional $40 million Canadian ($29 million US) for the multinational security mission and its successor force.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
According to Laurie Magnus, the government’s adviser on ministerial standards, her error was not having sought advice from a tax specialist.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Kais Saied, who is in China on a state visit, attended the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
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Andrew Jones, Space.com, 27 Sep. 2025
On Tuesday, during a high level ministerial meeting at the U.N. co-presided by Haiti, Canada pledged an additional $40 million Canadian ($29 million US) for the multinational security mission and its successor force.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
According to Laurie Magnus, the government’s adviser on ministerial standards, her error was not having sought advice from a tax specialist.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Kais Saied, who is in China on a state visit, attended the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
Cite this Entry
“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ministerial
adjective
min·is·te·ri·al
ˌmin-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl
: of or relating to a minister or ministry
Legal Definition
ministerial
adjective
min·is·te·ri·al
ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl
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
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