ENGLISH
REFERENCE

minister

n. · v.
US //ˈmɪnəstɝ// UK //mˈɪnɪstɐ// min·is·ter
  1. 1 government official (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    a high-ranking politician who is in charge of a specific government department.

    a senior politician who heads a government ministry or department, responsible for policy and administration.

    Example

    The health minister announced a new plan to build more hospitals.

    Example

    The finance minister faced intense questioning from the press regarding the proposed changes to the national tax code.

    Usage

    In many parliamentary systems, the title is used for cabinet-level officials.
  2. 2 religious leader (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    a person trained to lead religious ceremonies and care for people in a church.

    an ordained member of the clergy, particularly in Protestant denominations, authorised to perform offices and provide pastoral care.

    Example

    The minister gave a moving speech during the Sunday morning service.

    Example

    After twenty years of service, the minister retired from the parish to focus on writing his theological memoirs.

    Usage

    Commonly used in Protestant contexts; 'priest' is more common in Catholic or Orthodox contexts.
    • layperson
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 diplomatic rank (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    a high-level diplomat who works in a foreign country, just below an ambassador.

    a diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador but possesses significant plenipotentiary powers.

    Example

    The minister at the embassy handled the trade negotiations while the ambassador was away.

    Example

    The newly appointed minister plenipotentiary arrived in the capital to present his credentials to the foreign office.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a technical diplomatic rank; in everyday conversation, people usually just say 'diplomat'.
  2. 4 to care for (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Literary

    to give help or care to someone who needs it.

    to attend to the needs of others or provide essential aid and service.

    Example

    The volunteers stayed late to minister to the needs of the flood victims.

    Example

    She spent her final years in the village, choosing to minister to the sick and elderly who had no other support.

    Usage

    Usually used with the preposition 'to'.
Etymology 1

From Middle English ministre, from Old French ministre, from Latin minister (“an attendant, servant, assistant, a priest's assistant or other under official”), from minor (“less”) + -ter; see minor. Doublet of Minorite.

Etymology 2

Inherited from Middle English mynystren, from Middle French ministrer, from Old French menistrer, ministrer and Latin ministrō, from minister.

© 2026 English Reference