minister
MIHN-ihs-tuh
Minister (noun) means a politician who heads a government department. Example: “The finance minister announced new tax measures.”
noun
1
A politician who heads a government department.
"The finance minister announced new tax measures."
"The minister for transport answered questions from reporters outside the building."
"A new health minister was appointed to run the department."
2
A member of the clergy, especially in a Protestant church, authorized to lead worship and provide pastoral care.
"The minister delivered a moving sermon at the funeral."
"Our minister visits the elderly members of the church every week."
"The young minister greeted everyone at the door after the service."
verb
1
To attend to someone's needs or provide care and help.
"Volunteers ministered to the survivors of the flood."
"The nurse ministered to the patients all night without complaint."
"She spent her retirement ministering to homeless people in her town."
How to use minister
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a government department head or a religious leader, and as a verb, to care for or serve someone's needs.
Common pairings
prime minister
foreign minister
minister to the sick
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Word forms
- Plural
- ministers
- Third person singular
- ministers
- Past tense
- ministered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The finance _____ announced new tax measures.
Etymology
From Latin minister, "servant" or "attendant," built from minor, "lesser" — the same root that gives us "minor."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for minister
See all rhymes for minister →Frequently asked questions
What does “minister” mean?
The word “minister” means a politician who heads a government department. In plain terms, either a government department head or a religious leader, and as a verb, to care for or serve someone's needs.
How do you pronounce “minister”?
“Minister” is pronounced MIHN-ihs-tuh (/ˈmɪn.əˌstɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “minister” in a sentence?
Here is “minister” used in a sentence: “The finance minister announced new tax measures.”
What part of speech is “minister”?
Depending on how it is used, “minister” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “minister” come from?
The word “minister” comes from Latin. From Latin minister, "servant" or "attendant," built from minor, "lesser" — the same root that gives us "minor.".
Is “minister” a common word?
“Minister” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “minister” have?
“Minister” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a politician who heads a government department.
What is the difference between a minister and a secretary?
They often name the same job in different countries. In the UK and many parliamentary systems, a 'minister' heads a government department. In the United States, that senior official is usually called a 'secretary,' as in Secretary of State. Both are appointed political leaders running a branch of government.
What is the difference between a minister in politics and a minister in church?
They are unrelated meanings that share a spelling. A political minister leads a government department. A church minister is a member of the clergy who leads worship and cares for a congregation, especially in Protestant traditions. Only the context of the sentence makes clear which sense is meant.
What are the types of government minister?
Ranks vary by country, but a cabinet minister sits at the top table and helps set overall policy, while junior or deputy ministers support them within a department. The prime minister, or premier, is the head of the whole government rather than the leader of a single department.
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