ministerial

adjective

min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl 

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

ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• clerical
• clerkly
• pastoral
• priestly
• sacerdotal

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

Its brand is now recognizable across the country from bicycle stands in cities to ministerial meetings. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

On the same day, the Gulf Cooperation Council hosted a rare informal joint GCC-Iranian ministerial meeting, the first in more than 17 years, during which members affirmed the Gulf states’ unwillingness to allow their territory and airspace to be used to launch attacks against Iran. —Maria Fantappie, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2024

A lot has already gone into deciding this number: 12 technical consultations and three high-level ministerial meetings. —Simi Thambi​, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

His comments sparked tensions with the junta, forcing it to postpone a ministerial council meeting planned for Wednesday, a source close to Maiga told Reuters. —Reuters, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

ministerial

adjective

min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmin-ə-ˈstir-ē-əl 

: of or relating to a minister or ministry

Legal Definition

ministerial

adjective

min·​is·​te·​ri·​al ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl 

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