noun
also sec·re·tar·i·ate ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈterēət sometimes -ta(a)r- or -ēˌat
( -s )
Etymology: secretariat from French secrétariat, from Medieval Latin secretariatus, from secretarius secretary, confidant + Latin -atus -ate; secretariate alteration (influenced by -ate ) of secretariat
1. : the office or position of a secretary
2. : a secretarial corps (as in a business office) : the working force of secretaries or the clerical staff of an organization
3.
a. : the government administrative department presided over by a secretary-general or a cabinet secretary
the secretariat of state
the United Nations secretariat
b. : the quarters occupied by a government secretariat
c. : the staff of a secretariat