secretary

1 of 2

noun (1)

sec·​re·​tary ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē 

ˈse-kə-ˌter-

in rapid speech also ˈsek-ˌter-

especially British ˈse-k(r)ə-trē

plural secretaries

1

: 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

the secretary of labor

4

a

: writing desk, escritoire

b

: a writing desk with a top section for books

secretarial

ˌse-krə-ˈter-ē-əl 

adjective

secretaryship

ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē-ˌship 

noun

Illustration of secretary

• secretary 4b

secretaryship

2 of 2

noun (2)

sec·​re·​tary·​ship -ˌship 

: the duties or office of a secretary

Synonyms of secretary

Noun (1)

• registrar
• clerk

Examples of secretary in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Scott specifically called out the commerce secretary’s role in determining export regulations as a reason for his need to appear. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Nov. 2026

But in their first opportunity to impeach the defense secretary on Tuesday, 11 Democrats missed a key procedural vote -- and Hegseth was spared, at least for now. — Mariana Alfaro, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

But so far the balance of GOP officials are coming to Lutnick’s defense, suggesting the commerce secretary won’t be going anywhere soon. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2026

The medal presentation marks a notable development in the controversy surrounding Hegseth's Veterans Day visit, with the defense secretary publicly recognizing the soldier whose intervention attracted widespread attention. — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English secretarie, from Medieval Latin secretarius, confidential employee, secretary, from Latin secretum secret, from neuter of secretus

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing secretary

• executive secretary
• press secretary
• secretary bird
• secretary-general
• social secretary
• sub-secretary
• under secretary

Rhymes for secretary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

secretary

noun

sec·​re·​tary ˈsek-rə-ˌter-ē 

plural secretaries

1

: a person employed to handle records, letters, and routine work for another person

2

: an officer of a business corporation or society who has charge of the letters and records

3

: a government official in charge of a division

Secretary of State

4

: a desk with a top section for books

secretarial

ˌsek-rə-ˈter-ē-əl 

adjective

Legal Definition

secretary

noun

sec·​re·​tary

plural secretaries

often capitalized

1

: 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