Definition

1. Proper Noun:
   • The United States Department of State: The federal executive department of the U.S. government responsible for international relations and foreign policy. It is headed by the Secretary of State.
   • A government department of a U.S. state: An administrative division within the government of one of the 50 individual states of the United States.

Usage Examples

• Proper Noun (U.S. Federal Government):
  • The State Department issued a travel advisory for the region.
  • She works as a diplomat for the State Department.
  • The State Department is located in the Harry S Truman Building in Washington, D.C.
• Proper Noun (U.S. State Government):
  • He applied for a license at the state department of motor vehicles.
  • The California State Department of Education sets curriculum standards.

Advanced Usage

• "The State Department" (capitalized): Almost exclusively refers to the U.S. federal department. When used without a specific state modifier and in a national/international context, it is understood to mean the U.S. Department of State.
  • The State Department spokesperson held a press briefing.

Variants and Related Words

• Department of State: The official name of the U.S. State Department.
• Secretary of State: The title for the head of the U.S. Department of State. (Note: In individual U.S. states, the Secretary of State often has different duties, such as overseeing elections or corporate registrations.)
• Foreign Ministry: The equivalent department in the governments of most other countries (e.g., the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office).

Synonyms

• (For the U.S. federal department): Foggy Bottom (a metonym, from the neighborhood in Washington, D.C., where its headquarters is located).

Related Phrases

• State Department official: An employee or officer of the U.S. Department of State.
  • A senior State Department official will attend the summit.
• State Department briefing: A formal meeting where officials from the Department provide information to the press.
  • The journalist asked a question at the daily State Department briefing.

Noun

1. a department of government in one of the 50 states
2. the federal department in the United States that sets and maintains foreign policies
   • the Department of State was created in 1789