# ministry

/ˈmɪnəstɹi/ (US) · /mˈɪnɪstɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ministry
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. government department

noun · CEFR B2

a large department of a government that deals with a specific area, like health or education.

For teachers: a high-level government department or administrative division, typically headed by a minister.

- The Ministry of Education announced new rules for primary schools today.
- The Ministry of Finance is currently reviewing the proposed tax reforms to ensure they align with the national budget targets.

Usage: Often capitalized when referring to a specific entity, such as the Ministry of Defence.

### 2. the body of ministers

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

all the ministers of a government acting together as a group.

For teachers: the collective body of government ministers under the leadership of a head of government.

- The prime minister met with his entire ministry to discuss the crisis.
- During the final months of the previous ministry, several key legislative initiatives were abandoned due to internal disagreements.

Teaching tip: In this sense, it refers to the people and the period of their administration rather than a building or department.

### 3. religious work

noun · CEFR B2

the work or career of a religious leader, such as a priest or pastor.

For teachers: the office, duties, or functions of a minister of religion; the collective body of clergy in certain denominations.

- After finishing his studies, he decided to enter the ministry.
- She dedicated her life to the ministry, focusing her efforts on providing spiritual guidance to marginalized communities in the city.

## Examples

- The ministry announced new rules for public schools today.
- After the election, the prime minister created a new ministry to focus specifically on environmental protection and climate change.
- Effective coordination between the ministry of finance and the central bank is essential for maintaining national economic stability during periods of high global inflation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.