noun
secretary
A senior government official who heads a department.
The secretary of education announces new funding for public schools.
Etymology
The older title named someone entrusted with private or confidential affairs. Government developed that trusted administrative role into the headship of major departments.
More examples
- The president nominates a new secretary of defense.
- The treasury secretary answers questions about the federal budget.
- Several cabinet secretaries attend the meeting.
Forms
secretary · secretaries
Similar words
- minister
- Often heads a government department in a parliamentary system.
- commissioner
- Usually leads a specific agency rather than a cabinet department.