first secretary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. The title 'First Secretary' of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was used from 1953 to 1966 (by Khrushchev). It was replaced by the title 'General Secretary' in 1966 (held by Brezhnev onwards), though the role was similar.

Not necessarily. While some intelligence officers may use diplomatic cover with titles like 'First Secretary', the vast majority of First Secretaries are genuine mid-ranking diplomats responsible for specific portfolios like political, economic, or consular affairs.

A 'Secretary of State' is the head of a major government department (e.g., Foreign Secretary). The 'First Secretary of State' is an additional, senior title given to a cabinet minister (often the Deputy Prime Minister) that signifies precedence over other Secretaries of State but does not denote responsibility for a specific department.

It is capitalized when it forms part of an official title (e.g., First Secretary of State, First Secretary Jones). When used generically or as a diplomatic rank without the name, it is often lowercased (e.g., 'the first secretary at the embassy').

The leading or principal administrative officer in certain political, governmental, or organizational contexts.

First secretary is usually formal, political, diplomatic, historical, administrative in register.

First secretary: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst ˈsek.rə.tər.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːrst ˈsek.rə.ter.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.