ministry

ministry — noun

1. a top-level section of national government — found especially in the UK and Comm

1.nounB2
Definition

a top-level section of national government — found especially in the UK and Commonwealth states — responsible for a single policy area such as education, defence, or health, overseen by a senior government figure known as a minister

Example

The Ministry of Education has introduced new guidelines for primary school assessments.

capitalised name: the Ministry of [area]

Haruto spent six years as a policy analyst at the Ministry of Health before moving to the private sector.

working at the Ministry of [area]

Common collocations
  • head a ministry
  • join the Ministry of...
  • the Ministry of Defence / Education / Health
  • ministry official
  • ministry spokesperson
Synonyms
  • department

    more common in the US and for non-ministerial bodies

  • office

    can refer to a subdivision within a ministry or a smaller government body

Grammar Patterns

the Ministry of [area/function]

Usage Note

In the United States, equivalent bodies are usually called 'departments' (e.g., Department of Defense) rather than 'ministries.' In Commonwealth countries, 'ministry' is standard.

Common Mistakes

The Ministry of Education are located in London.
The Ministry of Education is located in London.
British English treats government ministries as singular entities.

2. the professional work and duties of a Christian minister or pastor, which includ

2.nounB2
Definition

the professional work and duties of a Christian minister or pastor, which includes leading worship services, preaching, offering spiritual guidance, and caring for the members of a church community

Example

Christopher began his ministry at a small Baptist church in rural Louisiana right after seminary.

began [possessive] ministry + location

The pastor's ministry included weekly home visits to elderly members who could not attend services.

Common collocations
  • begin one's ministry
  • devote one's life to ministry
  • Christian ministry
  • pastoral ministry
  • youth ministry
Synonyms
  • pastorate

    more specific to Protestant church leadership; slightly less common

  • pastoral care

    focuses on the caring aspect of the work rather than the full range of duties

Grammar Patterns

[possessive] + ministry

in + ministry

Usage Note

Often used with a possessive (e.g., 'her ministry,' 'his ministry') to describe an individual pastor's period or style of service. Broader than sense 3 — this sense covers all Christian denominations, not only Catholic or Orthodox traditions.

Common Mistakes

The ministry of education announced changes.' (when referring to a government body)
The Ministry of Education announced changes.
Government ministry is capitalised and uses the M-of-X pattern.

3. the lifelong religious vocation of serving as a priest, especially in the Cathol

3.nounC1
Definition

the lifelong religious vocation of serving as a priest, especially in the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican traditions, which involves administering sacraments, celebrating Mass or Divine Liturgy, and providing spiritual leadership to a parish

Example

Father Vikram felt called to the ministry while working at a Catholic mission in Mumbai.

called to [the] ministry (religious vocation)

The bishop emphasised the importance of humility for anyone preparing for ordained ministry.

Common collocations
  • enter the ministry
  • ordained ministry
  • priestly ministry
  • serve in the ministry
  • prepare for ministry
Synonyms
  • priesthood

    more specific; refers exclusively to the office of a priest

  • holy orders

    formal theological term for the sacrament of ordination

Grammar Patterns

enter + [the] + ministry

serve in + [the] + ministry

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 specifically refers to the ordained priesthood with sacramental duties, whereas sense 2 covers the work of ministers and pastors across all Christian denominations. 'Enter the ministry' in this sense means being ordained as a priest.

4. the large office building where the staff and officials of a government ministry

4.nounB2
Definition

the large office building where the staff and officials of a government ministry work, usually located in or near a capital city

Example

The old Ministry of Agriculture building near the river has been converted into a museum.

the [name] Ministry + building (physical location)

Protesters gathered outside the Ministry of the Interior while officials held an emergency meeting inside.

Common collocations
  • outside the ministry
  • the ministry building
  • visit a ministry
  • march to the ministry
Synonyms
  • government building

    broader term that includes all types of government offices, not only ministries

Grammar Patterns

the + [name] + ministry

at + the + ministry

Usage Note

This sense is always countable and refers to a physical structure. Context usually makes it clear whether 'ministry' means the department (sense 1) or the building (sense 4) — if people are visiting or gathered outside, it is the building.

5. all ordained religious ministers considered together as a group, especially with

5.nounC1
Definition

all ordained religious ministers considered together as a group, especially within a particular Christian church or denomination

Example

The assembled ministry of the diocese voted unanimously to support the new community outreach programme.

the ministry of [region/denomination] (collective body)

Constanza's family has served in the ministry for four generations, from her great-grandfather to her cousin.

Common collocations
  • the ordained ministry
  • serve in the ministry
  • the ministry of the church
  • enter the ministry (as a profession)
Synonyms
  • clergy

    the most common term for ordained religious leaders as a group

  • clergypersons

    gender-neutral alternative; less common

Antonyms
  • laity

    the ordinary members of a church who are not ordained

Grammar Patterns

the + ministry + of [denomination/region]

Usage Note

When used collectively, 'the ministry' takes a singular verb in British English ('the ministry is divided on the issue'). This sense differs from sense 2 and 3: it refers to the group as an institution rather than an individual's work or vocation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In the context of government administration, 'ministry' is the standard term in the United Kingdom and most Commonwealth countries (e.g., the Ministry of Defence). 'Department' serves the same function in the United States (e.g., the Department of Defense) and can also refer to subdivisions within a ministry. 'Agency' typically describes a smaller, more specialised body that may operate under a ministry or independently (e.g., the Environmental Protection Agency). 'Bureau' often indicates a sub-unit within a department (e.g., the Federal Bureau of Investigation) or a regional office. When writing about UK government for an international audience, use 'ministry'; for US government, use 'department.'

ministry ↗department ↗agency ↗bureau ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • ministry building
  • ministry official
  • ministry spokesperson
  • ministry policy
  • ministry staff

Phrases

  • head of the ministry
  • Ministry of Defence / Education / Health / Finance / Interior / Justice

Prepositions

  • at the ministry
  • in the ministry
  • within the ministry
  • outside the ministry

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From Latin 'ministerium' meaning 'service, office, attendance,' derived from 'minister' ('servant, attendant'). Borrowed into English through Old French 'ministerie' in the 13th century. The original sense was exclusively religious — referring to the service of a clergyman. The political sense (a government department) emerged in the 16th century and became standard in British English by the 18th century.