secretary-general

noun

sec·​re·​tary-gen·​er·​al ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē-ˈjen-rəl 

-ˈje-nə-rəl

plural secretaries-general

: a principal administrative officer

secretary-general of the United Nations

Examples of secretary-general in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The president is reportedly considering pushing Infantino to become the next United Nations secretary-general when António Guterres’ term expires in December. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

The United Nations also begins to choose its next secretary-general. — Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 29 July 2026

An extension just until the end of the year would leave the choice of a new human rights chief to the next secretary-general. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

Trump reportedly wants Infantino to be the next secretary-general of the United Nations, per the New York Post. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for secretary-general

• general

Kids Definition

secretary-general

noun

plural secretaries-general

: a principal officer of administration

secretary-general of the United Nations