1. 1. The act of serving; ministration.
   2. One that serves as a means; an instrumentality.
2. 1. The profession, duties, and services of a minister.
   2. The Christian clergy.
   3. The period of service of a minister.
3. 1. A governmental department presided over by a minister.
   2. The building in which such a department is housed.
   3. The duties, functions, or term of a governmental minister.
   4. often Ministry Governmental ministers considered as a group.

[Middle English ministerie, from Old French ministere, from Latin ministerium, from minister, servant.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.