n. (pl. -ies)
1. a a government department headed by a minister. b the building which it occupies (the Ministry of Defence).
2 a (prec. by the) the vocation or profession of a religious minister (called to the ministry). b the office of a religious minister, priest, etc. c the period of tenure of this.
3 (prec. by the) the body of ministers of a government or of a religion.
4 a period of government under one Prime Minister.
5 ministering, ministration.
Etymology: ME f. L ministerium (as MINISTER)