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
Despite teaching secular subjects, the court deemed his role sufficiently religious to fall under the ministerial exception, barring his discrimination claim under the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
—
A.j. Schumann, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
Swaggart ultimately rejected the harsher penalty and was stripped of his ministerial credentials.
—Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 1 July 2025
Over the next several months, ESA and the five launch companies will negotiate with European governments for funding leading up to ESA's ministerial council meeting in November, when ESA member states will set the agency's budget for at least the next two years.
—ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
With ministerial review, the city is not required to gather public input or hold a public hearing.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
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A.j. Schumann, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
Swaggart ultimately rejected the harsher penalty and was stripped of his ministerial credentials.
—Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 1 July 2025
Over the next several months, ESA and the five launch companies will negotiate with European governments for funding leading up to ESA's ministerial council meeting in November, when ESA member states will set the agency's budget for at least the next two years.
—ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
With ministerial review, the city is not required to gather public input or hold a public hearing.
—Tyler Faurot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ministerial
Cite this Entry
“Ministerial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ministerial. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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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