minister of state: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, governmental, journalistic, political
Quick answer
What does “minister of state” mean?
A government minister with specific responsibilities, typically ranking below a senior secretary of state or cabinet minister, often with departmental or cross-departmental duties.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A government minister with specific responsibilities, typically ranking below a senior secretary of state or cabinet minister, often with departmental or cross-departmental duties.
In the UK and other Commonwealth systems, a senior government appointment below cabinet rank but with significant policy or administrative responsibilities. In some countries (e.g., Ireland), it may refer specifically to a junior minister. In international relations, a 'Minister of State' can also be a high-ranking diplomatic position (e.g., Deputy Foreign Minister).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term has a very specific, institutional meaning in UK government (a defined rank). In US government, the term is rarely used officially; 'Secretary of State' is the senior role, and 'Under Secretary' or 'Deputy Secretary' are more common for subordinates. Americans might use it loosely for a high-ranking foreign official.
Connotations
UK: Connotes a specific, mid-to-senior government rank. US: Less specific, potentially seen as a formal or foreign title.
Frequency
High frequency in UK political/news contexts. Low frequency in US domestic political contexts, but may appear in international/foreign news.
Grammar
How to Use “minister of state” in a Sentence
[Minister of State] + for + [Portfolio] (e.g., Minister of State for Security)[Appoint/Name] + [Person] + as + Minister of StateThe Minister of State + [verb e.g., announced, confirmed, stated]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “minister of state” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Prime Minister may minister to the needs of the party, but appointing a Minister of State is a separate matter.
adjective
British English
- The ministerial reshuffle affected several minister-of-state positions.
American English
- (Rare) The minister-of-state level talks proceeded cautiously.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in discussions of government policy affecting business (e.g., 'The Minister of State for Industry will address the conference').
Academic
Used in political science, history, and public administration texts analyzing government structures.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Appears in news reports (e.g., 'The Minister of State for Schools has resigned').
Technical
A precise term in constitutional law and parliamentary procedure denoting a specific rank and legal authority.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “minister of state”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “minister of state”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minister of state”
- Capitalising incorrectly: 'minister of State' (should be 'Minister of State').
- Confusing with 'Secretary of State' (a superior role in the UK, or the US foreign minister).
- Using it as a generic term for any minister (it is a specific rank).
- Omitting 'of State' when referring to the specific UK government rank.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not usually. In systems like the UK's, a Minister of State is generally a junior minister who may attend Cabinet only by invitation, not as a full member. Cabinet Ministers (Secretaries of State) are senior.
In the UK ministerial hierarchy, a Minister of State is senior to a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. Both are types of junior ministers serving under a Secretary of State.
Yes, in the UK, Ministers of State can be members of either the House of Commons or the House of Lords. If in the Lords, they are known as a 'Minister of State (Lords)'.
No, the title and role are specific to certain political systems, most notably the UK and Commonwealth countries. Other countries use different titles for similar ranks (e.g., Vice-Minister, Deputy Minister, Under-Secretary).
A government minister with specific responsibilities, typically ranking below a senior secretary of state or cabinet minister, often with departmental or cross-departmental duties.
Minister of state is usually formal, governmental, journalistic, political in register.
Minister of state: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪnɪstər əv ˈsteɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪnɪstər əv ˈsteɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A minister without portfolio (a minister without specific departmental responsibilities)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'minister' (a servant) who is specifically responsible for serving the 'state' (the government/country) in a particular area like health or transport.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A BODY (with ministers as its specialized organs/servants). GOVERNMENT IS A HIERARCHY (with Minister of State as a specific rung on the ladder).
Practice
Quiz
In the UK government context, a 'Minister of State' typically: