un ‧ der ‧ sec ‧ re ‧ ta ‧ ry /ˌʌndəˈsekrət ə ri $ ˈʌndərˌsekrəteri/ BrE AmE noun ( plural undersecretaries ) [countable]
1 . a very important official in a US government department who is one position in rank below the ↑ secretary
2 . a minister in a British government department, who is one position in rank below the minister who is in charge of that department
3 . a government official who is in charge of the daily work of a British government department