Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to a government minister or ministry: Pertaining to the work, duties, or decisions of a government minister or a government department.
   • Relating to a minister of religion: Pertaining to the duties, role, or office of a religious minister, such as a pastor or priest.
   • Auxiliary or instrumental: (Less common) Describing something that serves as a means to an end or assists in the execution of a function.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Government):
  • The new ministerial directive will affect all public schools.
  • She has extensive experience in ministerial positions.
  • The decision requires ministerial approval.
• Adjective (Religion):
  • He is undertaking his ministerial training at the seminary.
  • Her ministerial duties include counseling and leading worship.
• Adjective (Auxiliary):
  • The committee has a ministerial role, simply implementing the council's decisions.

Advanced Usage

• "Ministerial act/function": An action performed by an official or body that involves following instructions or applying rules without the exercise of personal discretion.
  • The clerk's role in stamping the document was purely ministerial.
• "Ministerial responsibility/cabinet responsibility": A constitutional doctrine where government ministers are collectively responsible for government policy and individually responsible for their departments.
  • The scandal led to questions about ministerial responsibility.

Variants and Related Words

• Minister (n): 1. A head of a government department. 2. A member of the clergy.
• Ministry (n): 1. A government department. 2. The profession or duties of a religious minister.
• Ministerially (adv): In a ministerial manner.

Synonyms

• Governmental, administrative, executive (for government sense).
• Pastoral, clerical, sacerdotal (for religious sense).
• Instrumental, auxiliary, subsidiary (for auxiliary sense).

Antonyms

• Non-governmental, legislative, judicial (for government sense).
• Lay, secular (for religious sense).
• Discretionary, policymaking (for auxiliary sense, as in a vs. act).

Adjective

1. of or relating to a government minister or ministry
   • ministerial decree
2. of or relating to a minister of religion or the minister's office
   • ministerial duties