Ministry — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈmi-nə-strē/ min·is·try

Meaning & Definition of Ministry

Ministry (noun)

  1. ministration
  2. the office, duties, or functions of a minister
  3. the body of ministers of religion, clergy

Ministry (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something used to achieve an end

    "I don't care by what ministry it's accomplished, so long as it's done"

    similar: agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, organ, vehicle
    related: determinant, expedient, factor, influence, ingredient, mechanism, tool, weapon, activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger, antecedent, cause, occasion, reason, subagency, subagent

  2. the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church

    "the ranks of the ministry have dwindled considerably in recent years"

    similar: church, clergy, cloth, first estate, spirituality, spiritualty
    related: diaconate, episcopate, hierarchy, presbytery, clerkship, monkhood, priesthood
    opposite: laity

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ministry

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ministry:

agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, organ, vehicle, church, clergy, cloth, first estate, spirituality, spiritualty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ministry

Words with the opposite meaning of Ministry:

laity

Related Words for Ministry

determinant, expedient, factor, influence, ingredient, mechanism, tool, weapon, activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger, antecedent, cause, occasion, reason, subagency

Word Forms of Ministry

Inflections: ministries

Origin & Etymology of Ministry

Middle English ministerie, minstri "personal service, religious office, position in a church," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French ministere "service, duty," going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin ministerium "activity of a servant, duty, task, support" (Late Latin, "ecclesiastical service") from minister "servant, minister:1" + -ium, denominal suffix of occupations

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Ministry

Words & Phrases Containing Ministry

the ministry

Frequently Asked Questions about Ministry

What does "Ministry" mean?

"Ministry" means ministration. As a noun, it is defined as: ministration. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ministry"?

Other words for "Ministry" include agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium and organ. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ministry" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ministry"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ministry". Common alternatives include agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, organ, vehicle and church.

What is the opposite of "Ministry"?

Antonyms of "Ministry" include laity.

How do you use "Ministry" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ministry" in a sentence: "I don't care by what ministry it's accomplished, so long as it's done"; "the ranks of the ministry have dwindled considerably in recent years".

Is "Ministry" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ministry" is a noun.

Is "Ministry" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Ministry" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Ministry"?

"Ministry" is pronounced /ˈmi-nə-strē/ and divided into syllables as min·is·try.