ministry
gb/mˈɪnɪstɹi/ us/mˈɪnɪstɹi/
B1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Government department led by minister
A part of the government that is in charge of a certain area, led by a minister.
Usage pattern:
the Ministry of [area]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ministry' with 'minister'. The 'ministry' is the department, while the 'minister' is the person in charge.
Synonyms
department (A general term for a division within a government or organization, not always headed by a minister.)
|
agency (A government body, sometimes with more limited scope or autonomy than a ministry.)
Antonyms
private sector (Refers to non-governmental organizations and businesses.)
Collocations
Ministry of Education
|Ministry of Health
|Ministry of Finance
|head of the ministry
|government ministry
Themes
government
|politics
|administration
|law
|business
Examples
- The Ministry of Health announced new regulations on food safety.
- She works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The Ministry of Education is introducing a new curriculum.
- The report was submitted to the Ministry for review.
- Each ministry is responsible for specific policies and services.
Learner examples
- The Ministry of Education runs the schools.
- He works in the Ministry of Finance.
- The Ministry of Health helps to keep people safe.
- The Ministry makes rules for the country.
Noun
B2
action
2
Work of a religious leader
The job and service of a priest, pastor, or other religious leader.
Usage pattern:
to enter the ministry
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'ministry' with 'mission'. A mission is often a specific task or trip, while ministry is an ongoing role or service.
Synonyms
pastorate (Specifically refers to the office or term of service of a pastor.)
|
clergy work (General term for work done by members of the clergy.)
Antonyms
laity (Refers to non-clergy members of a religious group.)
Collocations
enter the ministry
|call to ministry
|youth ministry
|pastoral ministry
Themes
religion
|work
Examples
- He decided to enter the ministry after graduating from college.
- Her ministry focuses on helping the poor.
- The pastor has been in ministry for over thirty years.
- Youth ministry is an important part of our church.
- He felt called to the ministry at a young age.
Learner examples
- He wants to join the ministry after school.
- She works in youth ministry at her church.
- The pastor has worked in ministry for many years.
- He is studying to prepare for ministry.
Noun
formal
C1
event
3
Term in high political office
The time when one prime minister and their ministers control the government.
Usage pattern:
the [name] ministry
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is mainly used in formal or historical contexts, especially in British English.
Synonyms
administration (Commonly used in American English to refer to the same concept.)
Antonyms
opposition (Refers to political parties not currently in power.)
Collocations
the Churchill ministry
|fall of the ministry
|short-lived ministry
Themes
politics
|history
|time
Examples
- The Gladstone ministry passed several important reforms.
- That ministry lasted only two years before losing power.
- Historians debate the successes of the Thatcher ministry.
- The fall of the ministry led to new elections.
Learner examples
- The Brown ministry made many changes.
- That ministry was in power for four years.
- The fall of the ministry started a new election.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ministry
IPA
GB/mˈɪnɪstɹi/
US/mˈɪnɪstɹi/
Syllables & stress
min - istry (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (min)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ministry
- Plural: ministries
Word family
Forms
ministries
noun
Core family
minister
noun B1
ministerial
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
ministration
noun
Expressions
enter the ministry
1/ˈɛntɚ ðə mˈɪnɪstɹi/
fixed phrase
Start work as clergy member
To start working as a priest, pastor, or other religious leader.
Examples
- After years of study, he finally entered the ministry.
- She felt called to enter the ministry when she was 20.
fall of the ministry
1/fˈɔl əv ðə mˈɪnɪstɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
End of government's term in power
When the prime minister and ministers lose their jobs because they lose support in parliament or an election.
Examples
- The fall of the ministry led to immediate elections.
- Historians mark this event as one of the most sudden falls of a ministry in modern politics.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1/mˈɪnɪstɹi əv fˈɔɹən əfˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
Government foreign relations department
The part of the government that deals with other countries.
Examples
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the peace talks.
- She was appointed as spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry of Health
1/mˈɪnɪstɹi əv hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
Government public health department
The part of the government that works to keep people healthy and safe from disease.
Examples
- The Ministry of Health launched a new vaccination campaign.
- Data from the Ministry of Health shows an improvement in life expectancy.