DictionaryAI

minister

MIN-uh-stur/ˈmɪn.əˌstɚ/MIN-is-tuh/ˈmɪn.ɪs.tə/

Pluralministers

Verbministers, ministering, ministered

8 meanings of minister

Practice

  1. 1
    government leadernouncountable
    A government leader in charge of a department, such as health or defense, or of part of its work.

    Like a manager in charge of one part of a large company.

    The finance minister announced a new budget today.

    Several ministers met to discuss the new law.

    UsageSay the finance minister or the Minister of Health.

    Similarsecretary

    Note
  2. 2
    church pastornouncountable
    A person trained to lead worship and care for people at a Protestant church.

    Like a guide who leads a church group and helps its members.

    The minister gave a short sermon on kindness.

    Our new minister visits sick people in the hospital.

    UsageIn a Catholic church, the person leading worship is usually called a priest.

    Similarpastor, preacher, clergyman, cleric, reverend

    Note
  3. 3
    tend to needsverbintransitive
    To take care of someone and help with what they need.

    Like looking after a friend who is sick.

    Nurses minister to the wounded after every battle.

    She ministered to her sick mother for years.

    UsageSay minister to someone who needs help.

    Similarattend, tend, care, serve

  4. 4
    diplomatnouncountable
    A diplomat whose rank is just below an ambassador.

    Like a deputy who ranks just under the top boss.

    The minister represented her country at its small legation in the capital.

    The country had no ambassador there, so its minister ran the small mission.

    Similarenvoy, emissary

  5. 5
    agentnouncountable
    A servant or helper of lower rank, or someone or something used to get things done.

    Like a helper who carries out orders for someone more powerful.

    The lord relied on a faithful minister to manage his estate.

    Fire and storm were seen as ministers of divine will.

    Similarservant, agent, instrument, deputy, officer

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    verbintransitive
    To lead a religious service as a priest or pastor.

    He ministers at a small country church every Sunday.

    She trained for years before she could minister at services.

    UsageSay a pastor ministers at a church.

    Similarofficiate, preach, serve

  2. 7
    Catholic helpernouncountable
    A person chosen to carry out a religious task for the Catholic Church.

    Like a helper given one special job to do at church.

    A minister handed out communion at the busy Sunday mass.

    The parish asked a lay minister to bring Communion to sick members at home.

    Note
  3. 8
    verbarchaictransitive
    To give or provide something that is needed.
    We minister to God reason to suspect us.
    1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year.Here, minister means to give or supply.
    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–2, 4–5, 7

From Latin minister, meaning "servant" or "assistant," which came from minor ("less"). It reached English through Old French.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

Meanings 3, 6, 8

From the Latin verb ministrō ("to serve"), which came from minister ("servant"). It reached English through Old French.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts