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
A day before he was sworn in as the chief adviser to the interim government with prime ministerial powers, Yunus was acquitted in a labor violation case in which he had been sentenced to six months in jail.
—
Arun Devnath / Bloomberg, TIME, 12 Aug. 2024
During their meetings this weekend, U.S. and Japanese officials are expected to discuss for the first time at the ministerial level Washington’s commitment to defend Japan in case of an attack, including the potential use of nuclear weapons, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
—Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 27 July 2024
Young also serves on the ministerial staff at her home church, Historic Pure Word Missionary Baptist Church.
—Detroit Free Press, 25 July 2024
While Ashcroft and Bailey were unsuccessful, their actions shined a light on the typically ministerial role statewide officeholders play in signing off on ballot measures.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ministerial 
Arun Devnath / Bloomberg, TIME, 12 Aug. 2024
During their meetings this weekend, U.S. and Japanese officials are expected to discuss for the first time at the ministerial level Washington’s commitment to defend Japan in case of an attack, including the potential use of nuclear weapons, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
—Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 27 July 2024
Young also serves on the ministerial staff at her home church, Historic Pure Word Missionary Baptist Church.
—Detroit Free Press, 25 July 2024
While Ashcroft and Bailey were unsuccessful, their actions shined a light on the typically ministerial role statewide officeholders play in signing off on ballot measures.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ministerial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ministerial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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