: one employed to handle correspondence and manage routine and detail work for a superior
2
a
: an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's legal interests
b
: an officer of an organization or society responsible for its records and correspondence
3
: an officer of state who superintends a government administrative department
You can set up an appointment with my secretary.
He works as a legal secretary.
He was the club's secretary.
He is a junior secretary at the embassy.
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The secretary in recent months met with Coast Guard leaders and crews in visits to several Coast Guard stations, cutters and maritime security units.—Gidget Fuentes, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025 The new proposal clarifies that the secretary would not expel organizations for exercising their First Amendment rights.—Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025 Compensation is determined in part by a table maintained by HRSA and overseen by the HHS secretary.—Stephanie Armour, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025 Nicole Brownstein, the press secretary for the city’s public schools, said the agency has helped connect families with their permission to legal support and other resources.—Cayla Bamberger, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secretary
Word History
Etymology
Middle English secretarie, from Medieval Latin secretarius, confidential employee, secretary, from Latin secretum secret, from neuter of secretus
: an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's interests
2
: a government officer who superintends an administrative department
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