ministerial

adjective

min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl 

1

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

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

ministerially

ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• clerical
• clerkly
• pastoral
• priestly
• sacerdotal

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

Representatives from regional and global institutions like the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations were present at the ceremony, as well as ministerial delegations and current and former leaders from some 60 nations. —Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024

Castro has asserted that the work her company performs is purely ministerial. —Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

But Bradley was taking this a step further by participating in ministerial functions of an overtly partisan political organization by speaking to and then swearing in its officers. —Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2024

Arafat changed the constitution to separate some presidential and prime ministerial powers, moving toward something akin to France’s system. —Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024

Henry’s office said Article 149 of Haiti’s constitution states that once the president is not available, only the ministerial cabinet possesses powers to make decisions in his absence. —Anneclaire Stapleton, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024

Simon Porte Jacquemus, 34, last night became the youngest fashion designer ever to be named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest French ministerial award for cultural achievement. —Luke Leitch, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2024

This week, at ministerial meetings for the Group of 20 major economies in Rio de Janeiro, Secretary of State Antony Blinken weathered complaints from his counterparts on the latest instance of the United States vetoing Security Council calls for an immediate cease-fire over Gaza. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024

On the subject of friction, the third goal of the ministerial conference is facilitating dialogue. —Thani Al Zeyoudi, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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