a person who is the most senior of those having the title of secretary; spec. (a) a senior officer on the staff of a diplomatic mission; (b) British…

In the official designations of certain ministers presiding over executive departments of state. Secretary of State n. (the title of) (a) a…

British. In noun phrases with specific meaning in official contexts. a minister in the British government, (now) esp. one holding a rank below…

Of a Government minister or position: having cabinet or equivalent rank but without responsibility for a specific department; usually in Minister wi…