ministerial

adjective

min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl How to pronounce ministerial (audio)
Synonyms of ministerialnext
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a minister or the ministry
2
a
: being or having the characteristics of an act or duty prescribed by law as part of the duties of an administrative office
b
: relating to or being an act done after ascertaining the existence of a specified state of facts in obedience to a legal order without exercise of personal judgment or discretion
3
: acting or active as an agent
ministerially adverb

Synonyms of ministerial

Examples of ministerial in a Sentence

She holds a ministerial office. They function in a ministerial capacity in the embassy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet the latest prime ministerial switch raises a fundamental question not just for Britain’s political future, but for that of other major European countries such as France and Germany. Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2026 Under the agreement, at least four ministerial posts will change hands, but major strategies are expected to remain the same. ABC News, 23 June 2026 Boris Johnson followed, but was forced to quit in July 2022 after revelations over his handling of misconduct allegations against Chris Pincher, Conservative deputy chief whip, triggered a wave of ministerial resignations. Hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 June 2026 And finally, the report calls on stakeholders to collaborate across institutions, sectors and borders to establish cross-ministerial task forces, strengthening mutual recognition and interoperability of sustainability requirements across markets. Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ministerial

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin ministeriālis "serving in an office (manorial or ecclesiastical)," going back to Late Latin, "serving, performing a duty," from Latin ministerium "activity of a servant, ministry" + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ministerial was in 1561

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

ministerial

adjective
min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmin-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl How to pronounce ministerial (audio)
: of or relating to a minister or ministry

Legal Definition

ministerial

adjective
min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl How to pronounce ministerial (audio)
1
: being or having the characteristics of an act or duty prescribed by law as part of the duties of an administrative office
2
: relating to or being an act done after ascertaining the existence of a specified state of facts in obedience to legal and especially statutory mandate without exercise of personal judgment or discretion see also mandamus compare discretionary
3
: relating to a minister or ministry

More from Merriam-Webster on ministerial

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster