state secretary

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A senior government official: In the United States, "state secretary" (often used interchangeably with "Secretary of State") refers to the head of the U.S. Department of State, responsible for foreign affairs and international relations.
    • A state-level official: In some U.S. states, "state secretary" (or "Secretary of State") is an elected official who oversees elections, business registrations, and official state records.
Usage Examples
  • (The head of the U.S. Department of State.)
  • (A senior foreign policy official.)
  • (A state-level official managing elections.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to serve as state secretary": to hold the position of state secretary.

    • He served as state secretary under two presidents. (He held the role of foreign affairs chief.)

  • "state secretary's office": the administrative department or staff of the state secretary.

    • The state secretary's office released a statement on the crisis. (The official department of the foreign minister.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Secretary of State (n): the formal title for the U.S. state secretary.

    • The Secretary of State is a member of the President's Cabinet. (The top diplomat.)

  • Under Secretary of State (n): a deputy or assistant to the state secretary.

    • The Under Secretary of State handled economic diplomacy. (A senior subordinate official.)
Synonyms

  • Foreign minister: a government official responsible for a nation's foreign affairs (used in most countries outside the U.S.).

    • The foreign minister of Canada met with the U.S. state secretary.

  • Chief diplomat: a leader who manages diplomatic relations.

    • The state secretary acted as the chief diplomat during the summit.
Related Idioms

  • The state secretary's portfolio: the range of responsibilities assigned to the state secretary.

    • The state secretary's portfolio includes arms control and human rights. (The specific duties of the office.)

  • State secretary's seal: the official emblem of the state secretary's office.

    • The document bore the state secretary's seal. (The official stamp of the office.)