secretary of state

noun
1.
the head and chief administrator of the U.S. Department of State.
Compare foreign minister.
2.
British. any of several ministers in the British government:
A new secretary of state for the Home Department has been appointed.
3.
(in the U.S.) the appointed or elected official in a state government whose chief function is to distribute statutes, administer elections, keep archives, etc.
Also, Secretary of State.
Origin
1610-20
Examples from the web for secretary of state
  • It was a signal moment in conservation history, and this time even the secretary of state wasn't wearing a jacket.
  • Viewed from the worldly perspective of a former secretary of state, the stakes in higher education may well appear small.
  • No one could remember a secretary of state, the highest post in the cabinet, resigning on a matter of principle.
  • Now the same job is done by the secretary of state for defence.
  • The secretary of state shall be elected quadrennially, and shall hold his office for a term of four years.
British Dictionary definitions for secretary of state

secretary of state

noun
1.
(in Britain) the head of any of several government departments
2.
(in the US) the head of the government department in charge of foreign affairs (State Department)
3.
(in certain US states) an official with various duties, such as keeping records
secretary of state in Culture

secretary of state definition


The head of the United States Department of State and, as leading member of the cabinet, fourth in line of succession to the presidency. The secretary of state is charged with formulating American foreign policy and conducting relations with other nations.