secretariat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “secretariat” mean?
The administrative office or department of a large organization, especially a governmental or international body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The administrative office or department of a large organization, especially a governmental or international body.
The staff and physical premises of such an administrative department; the position or term of office of a secretary-general.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Carries the same formal, bureaucratic, and institutional connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to Commonwealth governmental structures, but common in American English in international contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “secretariat” in a Sentence
the secretariat of + ORGthe + ORG + secretariatVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; more likely 'head office' or 'corporate headquarters'. Used for industry association administrations.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and public administration to describe the administrative arm of governments or international bodies.
Everyday
Very rare. Would only be used when discussing specific organizations (e.g., 'She works for the UN Secretariat').
Technical
Core term in diplomacy and international law for the administrative organ of an intergovernmental organization (IGO) or treaty body.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secretariat”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secretariat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secretariat”
- Misspelling as 'secretariate' (archaic).
- Using lowercase when it's part of a proper name (e.g., 'the secretariat' vs. 'the UN Secretariat').
- Confusing it with 'secretary' the job title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While it is an office, it specifically denotes the central administrative office of a large, often governmental or international, organization. It implies a formal, structured bureaucracy.
Yes, when it forms part of the official name of an organization (e.g., the Commonwealth Secretariat, the ASEAN Secretariat). When used generically, it is in lowercase (e.g., 'the secretariat of the organization').
A 'secretary' is an individual person who performs clerical or administrative work, or a high-ranking official (e.g., Secretary of State). The 'secretariat' is the entire office, department, or staff that supports such an official or an organization.
Typically, no. Companies have 'head offices', 'corporate headquarters', or 'administrative divisions'. 'Secretariat' is reserved for public institutions, political parties, international bodies, and large non-profits. However, in some Commonwealth countries, a 'company secretary' is a specific corporate officer.
The administrative office or department of a large organization, especially a governmental or international body.
Secretariat is usually formal in register.
Secretariat: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkrɪˈtɛːrɪət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkrɪˈtɛriət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run a tight secretariat (rare, implies efficient administration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the SECRETary who runs the giant, important office (ARIAT) of a big organization.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (the secretariat is the administrative 'nervous system' or 'spine').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'secretariat' LEAST likely to be used?