: 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
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.
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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
: 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