ministry
/ˈmɪnɪstɹi/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.63 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A government department at the administrative level, normally headed by a minister (or equivalent rank, e.g. secretary of state), who holds it as portfolio, especially in a constitutional monarchy, but also as a polity.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The complete body of government ministers (whether or not they are in cabinet) under the leadership of a head of government (such as a prime minister)
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "She works for the ministry of finance."
- "He works for the ministry of defence."
- "I work for the ministry of education."
- "They work for the ministry of agriculture."
- "The premier offered his last ministry's resignation to the monarch, and is asked to form a new one in accordance with the election results."
- "the present ministry of the Holy Spirit"
Etymology
From Middle English mynisterie, borrowed from Old French menistere, in turn borrowed itself from Latin ministerium; equivalent to minister + -y.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: mynisterie, menistere, ministerium