Department of State

noun phrase

: the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries

Examples of Department of State in a Sentence

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But the envelope made out to Berent was returned unopened by the Department of State’s Office of General Counsel in May of this year. — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The Texas Department of State Health Services posted a health advisory in May warning that because the eggs shed from the body inconsistently, doctors may need to do as many as three tests spaced 24 hours apart to make an accurate diagnosis. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 The complaint names the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and the Department of State as some of the defendants. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas reports more than 800 cases of cryptosporidiosis each year. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for Department of State

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Department of State
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“Department of State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Department%20of%20State. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

Department of State

Agency
federal executive division responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy. It is the president's principal means of conducting treaty negotiations and effecting agreements with foreign nations. Under its control are the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, seven bureaus of political affairs, the U.S. Foreign Service (including 270 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions, and numerous subagencies), and various offices of diplomatic security, foreign intelligence, policy analysis, international narcotics control, protocol, and passport and medical services. The department's legal adviser advises the secretary of state on all matters of international law arising in the conduct of foreign relations.
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