Definition

1. Noun:
   • The position of the head of the U.S. Department of Defense: "Defense Secretary" refers to the cabinet-level office responsible for leading the United States military and its civilian department.
   • The person who holds the position of head of the U.S. Department of Defense: "Defense Secretary" also refers to the individual appointed to serve as the leader of the Department of Defense.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Position):
  • The Defense Secretary is a principal advisor to the President on national security.
  • He was nominated for the role of Defense Secretary.
• Noun (Person):
  • The Defense Secretary held a press conference at the Pentagon.
  • She met with the Defense Secretary to discuss the budget.

Advanced Usage

• "to be sworn in as Defense Secretary": to officially take the oath of office for the position.
  • The nominee will be sworn in as Defense Secretary next week.
• "testimony from the Defense Secretary": formal statements or answers given by the person in this role, often to Congress.
  • Congress requested testimony from the Defense Secretary on the new policy.

Variants and Related Words

• Secretary of Defense: This is the formal, official title for the position and the person. "Defense Secretary" is a common shorthand.
  • The Secretary of Defense is a statutory member of the National Security Council.
• Pentagon chief: An informal journalistic term for the Defense Secretary, referring to the headquarters of the Department of Defense.
• Deputy Defense Secretary: The second-highest official in the Department of Defense.

Synonyms

• Secretary of Defense: The formal synonym.
• Head of the Pentagon: An informal synonym focusing on the institution.

Related Phrases

• Acting Defense Secretary: A person temporarily performing the duties of the Defense Secretary when the position is vacant or the Secretary is unavailable.
  • The Deputy Secretary served as Acting Defense Secretary for a month.

Noun

1. the position of the head of the Department of Defense
   • the position of Defense Secretary was created in 1947
2. the person who holds the secretaryship of the Defense Department
   • the first Defense Secretary was James V. Forrestal who was appointed by Truman