ministerial
adjective
min·is·te·ri·al
ˌmi-nə-ˈstir-ē-əl 
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
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
Larry has cohabited, sometimes uneasily, with prime ministerial pets including Boris Johnson’s Jack Russell cross Dilyn and Rishi Sunak’s Labrador retriever Nova.
—
Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Rayner is a popular and charismatic Labour Party soldier who was forced to step down from her role at 10 Downing Street in September due to a breach of the ministerial code after underpaying taxes on one of her residential properties.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Binali Yıldırım, a loyal supporter, took on prime ministerial duties.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
The draft ministerial order, which was published just before the holidays, is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s commitment to cut red tape in the federal government.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
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Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Rayner is a popular and charismatic Labour Party soldier who was forced to step down from her role at 10 Downing Street in September due to a breach of the ministerial code after underpaying taxes on one of her residential properties.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Binali Yıldırım, a loyal supporter, took on prime ministerial duties.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
The draft ministerial order, which was published just before the holidays, is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s commitment to cut red tape in the federal government.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
Cite this Entry
“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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