home secretary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal
Quick answer
What does “home secretary” mean?
A senior government minister in the UK who heads the Home Office, responsible for domestic affairs including policing, security, immigration, and law and order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A senior government minister in the UK who heads the Home Office, responsible for domestic affairs including policing, security, immigration, and law and order.
The cabinet-level position overseeing internal affairs of England and Wales; the principal government minister dealing with matters of national security, public safety, border control, and citizenship within the United Kingdom.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively British. There is no direct American equivalent; the closest counterpart would be the 'Secretary of Homeland Security' (created post-9/11) or aspects of the 'Attorney General' or 'Secretary of the Interior', but the portfolios differ significantly.
Connotations
In the UK, the role carries immense political weight and is often seen as a potential stepping-stone to becoming Prime Minister. It connotes authority over domestic security and frequent media scrutiny.
Frequency
High frequency in UK news, politics, and current affairs. Virtually never used in American English except when discussing British politics.
Grammar
How to Use “home secretary” in a Sentence
The Home Secretary [verb: announced/resigned/proposed] that...[Person's Name], the Home Secretary, said...A decision by the Home SecretaryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “home secretary” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Prime Minister may soon home-secretary a new appointee. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- (Not used as a verb in American English)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- She gave a Home Secretary-level statement. (hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- (Not used as an adjective in American English)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions about government policy affecting business regulation or immigration for work.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and legal contexts when analysing UK governance.
Everyday
Common in UK news reports and political discussions.
Technical
Used in legal, parliamentary, and civil service contexts with precise definition.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “home secretary”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “home secretary”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “home secretary”
- Not capitalising it ('home secretary' is incorrect).
- Using it for non-UK contexts.
- Confusing it with 'Foreign Secretary'.
- Treating 'secretary' as a low-rank clerical job.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Home Secretary is a cabinet minister appointed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the government.
The Home Secretary is responsible for domestic affairs (police, security, immigration within the UK), while the Foreign Secretary handles international relations and diplomacy.
Yes, it is a high-profile cabinet position and has often been held by future Prime Ministers (e.g., Theresa May, James Callaghan).
It is a historical title. 'Secretary of State' is a senior minister. The full title is 'Secretary of State for the Home Department', shortened to 'Home Secretary'.
A senior government minister in the UK who heads the Home Office, responsible for domestic affairs including policing, security, immigration, and law and order.
Home secretary is usually formal in register.
Home secretary: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊm ˈsekrətri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊm ˈsekrəteri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not an idiom, but a formal title]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The minister who deals with affairs at 'HOME' (within the country), not abroad. The 'secretary' is not an assistant but a chief official.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NATION IS A HOUSEHOLD; the Home Secretary is the head of domestic management and security for the national 'home'.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the political position 'Home Secretary' found?