Definition

1. Noun:
   • A high-ranking government official in charge of foreign affairs: In the United States federal government, the Secretary of State is the head of the U.S. Department of State and the principal advisor to the President on foreign policy and international relations.
   • The cabinet-level position leading the State Department: This refers specifically to the office or title itself, which is a senior position in the President's Cabinet.

Usage

• The term "Secretary of State" is a proper noun and is always capitalized when referring to the specific U.S. government office or its holder.
• It is used with the definite article "the" when referring to the current officeholder (e.g., ).
• It can be used without an article when referring to the title in general or as part of someone's name (e.g., ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The President met with the Secretary of State to discuss the diplomatic crisis.
  • She was nominated to be the next Secretary of State.
  • The role of Secretary of State was created in the early years of the United States.

Advanced Usage

• "Acting Secretary of State": A person temporarily performing the duties of the Secretary of State when the position is vacant or the official is absent.

  • The Deputy Secretary served as Acting Secretary of State during the transition.

• "Secretary of State-designate": A person who has been nominated or selected for the position but has not yet been confirmed or officially assumed the role.

  • The Secretary of State-designate prepared for her confirmation hearings.

Variants and Related Words

• State Department (n): The federal executive department responsible for international relations, which the Secretary of State leads.

  • The Secretary of State is the head of the State Department.

• Foreign Secretary (n): The equivalent cabinet position in the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations, responsible for foreign affairs.

  • The British Foreign Secretary issued a joint statement with the U.S. Secretary of State.

Synonyms

• Foreign Minister: The more common international title for a government's chief diplomat, equivalent to the U.S. Secretary of State.
• Chief Diplomat: A descriptive term for the person leading a nation's foreign policy.

Important Note

• In the United Kingdom and some other countries, the title "Secretary of State" is used for various senior cabinet ministers (e.g., Secretary of State for Defence, Secretary of State for Health). The U.S. usage of "Secretary of State" refers exclusively to the foreign affairs portfolio. When explaining this word for learners of English, the primary reference is typically the high-profile U.S. government position.

Noun

1. the position of the head of the State Department
   • the position of Secretary of State was established in 1789
2. a government minister for foreign relations
3. the person who holds the secretaryship of the Department of State
   • the first Secretary of State was Thomas Jefferson