# ministry

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmɪnɪstɹi/ · frequency rank #2,356

## Definitions
1. Government department, at the administrative level normally headed by a minister (or equivalent rank, e.g. secretary of state), who holds it as portfolio, especially in a constitutional monarchy, but also as a polity
2. The complete body of government ministers (whether or not they are in cabinet) under the leadership of a head of government (such as a prime minister)
3. A ministration
4. The active practice and education of the minister of a particular religion or faith.
5. The clergy of nonapostolic Protestant churches.
6. Work of a spiritual or charitable nature.

## Etymology
From Middle English mynisterie, borrowed from Old French menistere, in turn borrowed itself from Latin ministerium; equivalent to minister + -y.

## Easily confused with
- **minister** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/minister-vs-ministry)
- **ministers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ministers-vs-ministry)

## Common misspellings (13)
`imnistry`, `miinstry`, `minisrty`, `minisstry`, `ministrry`, `ministryy`, `ministtry`, `ministyr`, `minitsry`, `minnistry`, `minsitry`, `mministry`, `mniistry`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ministry