noun
Very common
ministry
MIH-nihst-ree
Ministry (noun) means a government department headed by a minister. Example: “The Ministry of Health issued new guidelines.”
noun
1
A government department headed by a minister.
"The Ministry of Health issued new guidelines."
"A spokesperson for the ministry said the new schools would open soon."
"She has worked at the Ministry of Transport for ten years."
2
The work, role, or vocation of a religious minister or clergy member.
"He felt called to ministry after years working as a teacher."
"After years in ministry, the vicar still enjoys visiting people in hospital."
"He trained for three years before beginning his ministry in a small village."
How to use ministry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA government department, or the calling and work of religious clergy.
Common pairings
ministry of defense
youth ministry
enter the ministry
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Word forms
- Plural
- ministries
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The _____ of Health issued new guidelines.
Etymology
From Old French menistere, going back to Latin ministerium, built on minister plus the noun-forming suffix "-y."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ministry
See all rhymes for ministry →Frequently asked questions
What does “ministry” mean?
The word “ministry” means a government department headed by a minister. In plain terms, a government department, or the calling and work of religious clergy.
How do you pronounce “ministry”?
“Ministry” is pronounced MIH-nihst-ree (/ˈmɪnɪstɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “ministry” in a sentence?
Here is “ministry” used in a sentence: “The Ministry of Health issued new guidelines.”
What part of speech is “ministry”?
“Ministry” is a noun.
Where does the word “ministry” come from?
The word “ministry” comes from Latin. From Old French menistere, going back to Latin ministerium, built on minister plus the noun-forming suffix "-y.".
Is “ministry” a common word?
“Ministry” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ministry” have?
“Ministry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a government department headed by a minister.
What is the difference between a ministry and a department?
In many countries the words are interchangeable, as both name a branch of government with a specific remit. Where they differ, a ministry is headed by a minister, while in the United States the equivalent bodies are called departments and led by secretaries. British government uses both terms side by side.
What are examples of ministries?
Typical examples include the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each handles one area of national policy and is led by a government minister. The exact names vary from country to country, but the pattern is the same.
What is the difference between a ministry and a minister?
A ministry is the organisation, meaning the department, its staff, and its budget. A minister is the individual politician who leads that ministry and answers for it. So the minister runs the ministry, much as a head teacher runs a school. One is a person; the other is an institution.
Does ministry always refer to government?
No. Besides a government department, ministry also means religious service, the work of the clergy, as in entering the ministry or a church's ministry to its community. The two senses are unrelated in daily use, so context makes clear whether politics or religion is the subject.
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