ministry
noun
min·is·try
ˈmi-nə-strē
plural ministries
1
: ministration
The ingenuity of destruction … had outrun the ministry of healing.—Dixon Wecter
2
: the office, duties, or functions of a minister
was well-suited for the ministry
4
: a person or thing through which something is accomplished : agency, instrumentality
Heroic believers become such by the ministry of heroic pains.—Austin Phelps
5
: the period of service or office of a minister or ministry
Many reforms were enacted during his ministry.
6
often Ministry
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
Cite this Entry
“Ministry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministry. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
