View synonyms for minister

minister

[ min-uh-ster ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a person authorized to conduct religious worship; member of the clergy; pastor.
a person authorized to administer sacraments, as at Mass.
a person appointed by or under the authority of a sovereign or head of a government to some high office of state, especially to that of head of an administrative department:
the minister of finance.
a diplomatic representative accredited by one government to another and ranking next below an ambassador. Compare envoy ¹( def 1 ).
a person acting as the agent or instrument of another.

verb (used with object)

to administer or apply:
to minister the last rites.
Archaic. to furnish; supply.

verb (used without object)

to perform the functions of a religious minister.
to give service, care, or aid; attend, as to wants or necessities.:
to minister to the needs of the hungry.
Synonyms: oblige, tend, answer
to contribute, as to comfort or happiness.

minister

/ ˈmɪnɪstə /

noun

(esp in Presbyterian and some Nonconformist Churches) a member of the clergy
a person appointed to head a government department
any diplomatic agent accredited to a foreign government or head of state
short for minister plenipotentiary or envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary See envoy 1
Also called (in full)minister resident a diplomat ranking after an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
a person who attends to the needs of others, esp in religious matters
a person who acts as the agent or servant of a person or thing

verb

introften foll byto to attend to the needs (of); take care (of)
archaic.
tr to provide; supply

minister

A title used in many countries for members of cabinets and similar public officials, who are roughly equivalent to the officials in the United States cabinet. For example, a minister of foreign affairs will have duties similar to those of the secretary of state of the United States.

minister

In many Protestant churches , the presiding clergyman. Ministers preach sermons; conduct services; officiate at baptisms , weddings, and funerals; and generally look after the needs of their congregation. Some Protestant churches refer to their clergy as pastors or preachers rather than ministers.

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Derived Forms

ˈministerˌship, noun

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Other Word Forms

pre·minis·ter verb (used without object)
sub·minis·ter noun
under·minis·ter noun
un·minis·tered adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English minister, ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister “servant,” from minus “less” (adverb form of minor minor ) + -ter, noun suffix; (for the verb) Middle English ministren, from Old French ministrer, from Latin ministrāre “to act as a servant, attend,” derivative of minister; master ( def )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of minister¹

C13: via Old French from Latin: servant; related to minus less

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

By mid-March, he was being sworn in as prime minister - the first to have never held elected public office before - after a resounding win in the Liberal leadership race.

From BBC

No one should expect those Liberals to say thank you to the American leader, however – or for Trump to soften his rhetoric, even though last month he said he preferred a Liberal prime minister.

From BBC

In an impassioned speech in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Monday, the state's chief minister and tourism minister Omar Abdullah paid tributes to the victims by reading out names of all the 26 people.

From BBC

However, a Home Office source said ministers would be hoping to tackle instances like that of Abdul Ezedi, who was granted asylum despite being a convicted sex offender.

From BBC

Home Office minister Jess Phillips has said she expects there will be more local inquiries into grooming gangs than the five already announced.

From BBC

mini-state ministerial

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