secretary

noun

sec·​re·​tary ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce secretary (audio)
ˈse-kə-ˌter-
in rapid speech also ˈsek-ˌter-
especially British ˈse-k(r)ə-trē
plural secretaries
Synonyms of secretarynext
1
: one employed to handle correspondence and manage routine and detail work for a superior
2
a
: an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's legal interests
b
: an officer of an organization or society responsible for its records and correspondence
3
: an officer of state who superintends a government administrative department
the secretary of labor
4
b
: a writing desk with a top section for books

Illustration of secretary

Illustration of secretary
  • secretary 4b

Examples of secretary in a Sentence

You can set up an appointment with my secretary. He works as a legal secretary. He was the club's secretary. He is a junior secretary at the embassy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In November, voters in 26 states will elect a secretary of state, choosing the officials who will oversee the 2028 presidential race throughout most of the country. Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 The Cabinet secretary cited his recent visit to Venezuela as part of the administration’s efforts to raise not only oil production but also refinery capacity to supply the global oil market. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026 Castro left the presidency in 2018 and his title as first secretary of the Communist Party in 2021, but remains as the ultimate decision-maker on the island. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026 Trump named Adam Telle, a civilian Army Corps of Engineers leader, as acting Army secretary following Dan Driscoll’s departure amid reports of tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secretary

Word History

Etymology

Middle English secretarie, from Medieval Latin secretarius, confidential employee, secretary, from Latin secretum secret, from neuter of secretus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of secretary was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secretary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretary. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

plural secretaries
1
: a person employed to handle records, letters, and routine work for another person
2
: an officer of a business corporation or society who has charge of the letters and records
3
: a government official in charge of a division
Secretary of State
4
: a desk with a top section for books

Legal Definition

secretary

noun
sec·​re·​tary
plural secretaries
often capitalized
1
: an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's interests
2
: a government officer who superintends an administrative department

More from Merriam-Webster on secretary

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster