secretary-general

noun

sec·​re·​tary-gen·​er·​al ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē-ˈjen-rəl How to pronounce secretary-general (audio)
-ˈje-nə-rəl
plural secretaries-general
: a principal administrative officer
secretary-general of the United Nations

Examples of secretary-general in a Sentence

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.
Countries will next vote to appoint a new secretary-general in 2026. Abiodun Williams, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025 Leaders such as Sister Raffaella Petrini, the first female secretary-general of the Vatican City State, and Sister Nathalie Becquart, an undersecretary for the Synod of Bishops, exemplify this progress. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 However, the secretary-general also argued that failed U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East was responsible for growing Islamic extremism. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 31 Dec. 2024 That resolution, which ended the Iran-Iraq War, called on the secretary-general to consult with Iran, Iraq, and other regional states to explore measures that could enhance security and stability in the Persian Gulf. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for secretary-general 

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of secretary-general was in 1701

Dictionary Entries Near secretary-general

Cite this Entry

“Secretary-general.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretary-general. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

secretary-general

noun
plural secretaries-general
: a principal officer of administration
secretary-general of the United Nations
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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