ministry: Meaning and Definition of

min•is•try

Pronunciation: (min'u-strē), [key]
— pl. -tries.
  1. the service, functions, or profession of a minister of religion.
  2. the body or class of ministers of religion; clergy.
  3. the service, function, or office of a minister of state.
  4. the body of ministers of state.
  5. (usually cap.) any of the administrative governmental departments of certain countries usually under the direction of a minister of state.
  6. (usually cap.) the building that houses such an administrative department.
  7. the term of office of a minister of state.
  8. an act or instance of ministering; ministration; service.
  9. something that serves as an agency, instrument, or means.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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