English Explanatory Dictionary

ministerial

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Related to a religious minister or ministry.
  2. Related to a governmental minister or ministry.
  3. Having the power to wield delegated executive authority.
  4. Serving as an instrument or means (i.e., procedural or ancillary, not substantive).
noun
  1. A member of the mediaeval estate or caste of unfree nobles.
  2. A meeting of government ministers from partner countries.

Pronunciation

/ˌmɪnəˈstɪɹi.əl/ /-ˈstɪəɹ-/ en-us-ministerial.ogg

Word forms

ministerial more ministerial most ministerial ministerials

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French ministeriel, equivalent to minister + -ial. Doublet of minstrel and ministerialis.

Synonyms

instrumental

Related words

minister ministerium ministry prime ministerial

Derived words

antiministerial interministerial intraministerial ministerial box ministerial code ministerialist ministerialitis ministerially ministerialness nonministerial pseudoministerial subministerial unministerial
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