ˈsɛkrəˌteri 
British ˈsɛkrətri
plural secretaries
1
: a person whose job is to handle records, letters, etc., for another person in an office
You can set up an appointment with my secretary.
He works as a legal secretary.
She is our executive/administrative secretary. [=a secretary with some management duties]
2
: a person in a club or other organization who is in charge of keeping letters and records
He was the club's secretary.
3
a
US
: an official who is selected by the President and is in charge of a particular department of the government
the Secretary of Commerce
the Treasury Secretary
b
British
: a government official who helps a minister, an ambassador, etc.
He is a junior secretary at the embassy.
c
British
: secretary of state sense 2
Cite this Entry
“Secretary.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/secretary. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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