Definition of minister
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : agent the angels are ministers of the divine will— H. P. Liddon
2a : one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worship
b : a clergyman or clergywoman especially of a Protestant communion
3a : the superior (see superior entry 2 sense 1) of one of several religious orders
— called also minister-general
b : the assistant to the rector or the bursar of a Jesuit house
4 : a high officer of state entrusted with the management of a division of governmental activities
the British Minister of Defence
5a : a diplomatic representative (such as an ambassador) accredited to the court (see court entry 1 sense 1c) or seat of government of a foreign state
b : a diplomatic representative ranking below an ambassador
minister
verbDefinition of minister (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to function as a minister of religion
2 : to give aid or service
minister to the sick
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Time Traveler for minister
The first known use of minister was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century