In Britain and some other countries, a ministry is a government department which deals with a particular thing or area of activity, for example trade, defence, or transport.
...the Ministry of Justice. [+ of]
...a spokesperson for the Agriculture Ministry.
Synonyms: department, office, bureau, government department More Synonyms of ministry
2. countable noun [usually singular, usually with poss]
The ministry of a religious person is the work that they do that is based on or inspired by their religious beliefs.
His ministry is among the poor.
3. collective singular noun [theNOUN]
Members of the clergy belonging to some branches of the Christian church are referred to as the ministry.
So what prompted him to enter the ministry?
Synonyms: the priesthood, the church, the cloth, the pulpit More Synonyms of ministry
More Synonyms of ministry
ministry in British English
(ˈmɪnɪstrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-tries
1.
a.
the profession or duties of a minister of religion
b.
the performance of these duties
2.
ministers of religion or government ministers considered collectively
3.
the tenure of a minister
4.
a.
a government department headed by a minister
b.
the buildings of such a department
Word origin
C14: from Latin ministerium service, from minister servant; see minister
ministry in American English
(ˈmɪnɪstri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈministries
1.
a.
the act of ministering, or serving; ministration
b.
that which serves as a means; agency
2.
a.
the office, function, tenure, or service of a religious minister
b.
ministers of religion collectively; clergy
3.
a.
the department under a minister of government
b.
the term of office of such a minister
c.
the building or buildings of such a department
d.
the ministers of a particular government as a group
Word origin
ME mynysterie < L ministerium < minister, minister
Examples of 'ministry' in a sentence
ministry
The verdict was delivered amid tight security at the defence ministry.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The defence ministry said the country was too busy preparing for local elections.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The aircraft has since been almost completely withdrawn from commercial flights but continues in service with the defence ministry.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The German foreign ministry said it was trying to verify the reports.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Russia's defence ministry did not confirm the report.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Ministers said phone or electronic surveillance of a suspect had to be first approved by a court, the defence ministry and the cabinet.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The verdict was postponed indefinitely as the French foreign ministry lobbied Moscow for his release.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Chinese foreign ministry said that it was disappointed to the point of despair by the Japanese intervention.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But this is a notable result of our joint work, efforts by the defence and foreign ministries, our partners in the regions.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Just look at how often the names of government ministries change for no clear reason.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The diplomats at the foreign ministry do not count for much.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The setting of these norms was also handed over to the ministries and departments.
Aganbegyan, Abel Inside Perestroika: The Future of the Soviet Economy (1990)
It feels as if a government ministry has just abandoned the place in the face of an invading army.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
French defence ministry officials said that the rebels were also supported by its special forces who were acting in an advisory role.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can introduce video curriculum to your small-group ministry in a variety of ways.
Christianity Today (2000)
But a ministry spokesman says April remains the target for implementation.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The staff rejected as insufficient a pledge by the management to talk to the Interior and Justice ministries about reinforcing police patrols around the museum.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
ministry
British English: ministry /ˈmɪnɪstrɪ/ NOUN
government department A ministry is a government department.
...the Ministry of Justice.
American English: ministry government
Arabic: وِزَارَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: ministério
Chinese: 部委
Croatian: ministarstvo
Czech: ministerstvo
Danish: ministerium
Dutch: ministerie
European Spanish: ministerio
Finnish: ministeriö
French: ministère gouvernement
German: Ministerium
Greek: υπουργείο
Italian: ministero
Japanese: 省 government
Korean: 부
Norwegian: departement
Polish: ministerstwo
European Portuguese: ministério
Romanian: minister
Russian: министерство
Latin American Spanish: ministerio
Swedish: departement
Thai: กระทรวง
Turkish: bakanlık
Ukrainian: міністерство
Vietnamese: bộ cơ quan
British English: ministry /ˈmɪnɪstrɪ/ NOUN
religious The ministry of a religious person is the work that they do that is inspired by their religious beliefs.
His ministry is among poor people.
American English: ministry religion
Arabic: كَهْنُوتٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: ministério religião
Chinese: 牧师职位
Croatian: svećenićka služba
Czech: kněžský úřad
Danish: præstekald
Dutch: geestelijk ambt
European Spanish: clerecía
Finnish: papin virka
French: ministère religion
German: geistliches Amt
Greek: ιερατείο
Italian: ministero
Japanese: 聖職 religion
Korean: 사역
Norwegian: presteembete
Polish: duszpasterstwo
European Portuguese: ministério
Romanian: preoție
Russian: духовенство
Latin American Spanish: clerecía
Swedish: prästämbete
Thai: การช่วยเหลือ
Turkish: papazlık
Ukrainian: зобов'язання священика
Vietnamese: đoàn mục sư
Chinese translation of 'ministry'
ministry
(ˈmɪnɪstrɪ)
n
(c) (Brit, Pol) 部 (bù)
(Rel)
the ministry神职(職) (shénzhí)
the Ministry of Defence/Agriculture (Brit) 国(國)防部/农(農)业(業)部 (guófángbù/nóngyèbù)
1 (noun)
Definition
a government department headed by a minister
the Ministry of Justice
Synonyms
department
He worked in the sales department.
office
Downing Street's press office
bureau
the paper's Washington bureau
government department
2 (noun)
Definition
ministers considered as a group
He disclosed that his ministry gave funds to parties in Namibia.
Synonyms
administration
He served in posts in both the Ford and Carter administrations.
government
The Government has insisted that confidence is needed before the economy can improve.
council
The powers of the King had been handed over temporarily to a council of ministers.
cabinet
The radically-changed Cabinet of the Prime Minister includes eight new ministers.
3 (noun)
Definition
the profession or duties of a minister of religion
So what prompted you to enter the ministry?
Synonyms
the priesthood
the church
the cloth
the pulpit
holy orders
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bureau
Definition
an office or agency, esp. one providing services for the public
the paper's Washington bureau
Synonyms
office,
department,
section,
branch,
station,
unit,
division,
subdivision
in the sense of cabinet
The radically-changed Cabinet of the Prime Minister includes eight new ministers.
Synonyms
council,
committee,
administration,
ministry,
assembly,
board
in the sense of council
Definition
a legislative or advisory body
The powers of the King had been handed over temporarily to a council of ministers.
Synonyms
governing body,
house,
parliament,
congress,
cabinet,
ministry,
diet,
panel,
assembly,
chamber,
convention,
synod,
conclave,
convocation (formal),
conference,
runanga (New Zealand)
Synonyms of 'ministry'
ministry
Explore 'ministry' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of government
Definition
the state and its administration
The Government has insisted that confidence is needed before the economy can improve.
Synonyms
administration,
executive,
ministry,
regime,
governing body,
powers-that-be,
e-government or egovernment
in the sense of office
Definition
a department of an organization dealing with particular business