n. (pl. ies) 1 a government department headed by a minister. b building for this. 2 a (prec. by the) vocation, office, or profession of a religious minister. b period of tenure of this. 3 (prec. by the) body of ministers of a government or religion. 4 period of government under one prime minister. 5 ministering, ministration. [Latin: related to MINISTER]
