min·is·ter
ˈmi-nə-stər 
1
: agent
the angels are ministers of the divine will—
H. P. Liddon
H. P. Liddon2
a
: one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worship
b
: a clergyman or clergywoman especially of a Protestant communion
3
a
: the superior (see superior entry 2 sense 1) of one of several religious orders
called also minister-general
b
: the assistant to the rector or the bursar of a Jesuit house
4
: a high officer of state entrusted with the management of a division of governmental activities
the British Minister of Defence
5
a
: a diplomatic representative (such as an ambassador) accredited to the court (see court entry 1 sense 1c) or seat of government of a foreign state
b
: a diplomatic representative ranking below an ambassador
ministered; ministering
ˈmi-nə-st(ə-)riŋ
1
: to function as a minister of religion
2
: to give aid or service
minister to the sick
Synonyms
Examples of minister in a Sentence
Noun
the British ministers at the international peace conference
our minister gives an interesting sermon every week
Verb
volunteered to help minister to the sick at the local hospice
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz will take over as the country's new defense minister.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Edward Pentin, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2013
For more than a year, religious organizations have lobbied Congress and the Biden administration to fix a sudden procedural change in how the government processes green cards for religious workers, which threatens the ability of thousands of them to continue to minister in the United States.
—Giovanna Dell’orto, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for minister 
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Noun
In Israel, the country’s right-wing leadership was thrilled by Trump’s victory, with ultranationalist ministers openly celebrating on social media.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz will take over as the country's new defense minister.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Churches are still forbidden there, and priests must minister in secret.
—Edward Pentin, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2013
For more than a year, religious organizations have lobbied Congress and the Biden administration to fix a sudden procedural change in how the government processes green cards for religious workers, which threatens the ability of thousands of them to continue to minister in the United States.
—Giovanna Dell’orto, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for minister
Dictionary Entries Near minister
Cite this Entry
“Minister.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minister. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minister
1 of 2 noun
min·is·ter
ˈmin-ə-stər
1
a
: one who performs religious ceremonies in church services
b
: a member of the clergy of a Protestant church
2
: a high official who heads a department of the government
3
: a government representative in a foreign country
minister
2 of 2 verb
ministered; ministering
-st(ə-)riŋ
: to give aid : serve
minister to the sick
ministration
noun
ˌmin-ə-ˈstrā-shən
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