Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
ministry (noun)1.
- ministration
2.
the office, duties, or functions of a - minister
3.
the body of of religion - ministers clergy
4.
a person or thing through which something is accomplished - agency instrumentality
5.
the period of service or office of a minister or ministry
6.
often capitalized
a) the body of ministers governing a nation or state from which a smaller cabinet is sometimes selected
b) the group of ministers constituting a cabinet
7.
a) a government department presided over by a minister
b) the building in which the business of a ministry is transacted
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
ministry (noun)1.
something used to achieve an end
SYNONIMS:
agency, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicleRELATED WORDS:
determinant, expedient, factor, influence, ingredient, mechanism, tool; weapon; activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger; antecedent, cause, occasion, reason; subagency, subagent2.
the group ordained to perform clerical functions in the Christian church
SYNONIMS:
church, cloth, first estate, ministry, spirituality, spiritualtyRELATED WORDS:
diaconate, episcopate, hierarchy, presbytery; clerkship, monkhood, priesthood