ministry

noun

min·​is·​try ˈmi-nə-strē How to pronounce ministry (audio)
plural ministries
1
: ministration
the ingenuity of destruction … had outrun the ministry of healingDixon Wecter
2
: the office, duties, or functions of a minister
was well prepared for the ministry
3
: the body of ministers of religion : clergy
joined the Presbyterian ministry
4
: a person or thing through which something is accomplished : agency, instrumentality
heroic believers become such by the ministry of heroic painAustin Phelps
5
: the period of service or office of a minister or ministry
Many reforms were enacted during his ministry.
6
often capitalized
a
: the body of ministers governing a nation or state from which a smaller cabinet (see cabinet entry 1 sense 3b) is sometimes selected
b
: the group of ministers constituting a cabinet
7
a
: a government department presided over by a minister
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
b
: the building in which the business of a ministry is transacted

Examples of ministry in a Sentence

a member of the ministry She learned a lot during her first year of ministry.
Recent Examples on the Web But many of those killed are believed to be civilians, according to the health ministry which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024 Ishiba will reportedly discuss plans to launch a new disaster management ministry in the earthquake and flood-prone country, as well as stressing the importance of nuclear energy. Afp, Fortune Asia, 3 Oct. 2024 As of June, around 34,200 North Koreans had resettled in South Korea, mostly after arduous, sometimes life-threatening journeys, usually via China, to escape poverty and oppression at home, according to Seoul’s unification ministry. Reuters, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024 But then the muezzin came on the loudspeaker, announcing the burial was postponed until the remains could be certified by health ministry officials. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ministry 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ministry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ministerie, minstri "personal service, religious office, position in a church," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French ministere "service, duty," going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin ministerium "activity of a servant, duty, task, support" (Late Latin, "ecclesiastical service") from minister "servant, minister entry 1" + -ium, denominal suffix of occupations

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ministry was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ministry

Cite this Entry

“Ministry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministry. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ministry

noun
min·​is·​try ˈmin-ə-strē How to pronounce ministry (audio)
plural ministries
1
: the action of ministering
2
: the office, duties, or work of a minister
3
a
: the body of ministers governing a nation or state
b
: a government department headed by a minister
c
: the building in which a ministry is housed

More from Merriam-Webster on ministry

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