Department of State

noun phrase

: the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries

Examples of Department of State in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The State Department’s Immigration Change The U.S. Department of State has published a public notice that updates the Exchange Visitors Skills List. —Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

The last high-profile suspension was in October 2022 when the Michigan Department of State suspended the license of the Carvana dealership in Novi after finding multiple notices of noncompliance with the state vehicle code. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024

The Department of State elevated the significance of international religious freedom by holding the first minister-level gathering to advance religious freedom. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Republicans blasted Blinken for refusing to appear in September, but the Department of State had argued the secretary had been fully cooperative with the House committee. —Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Nov. 2024

Legal Definition

Department of State

Agency

federal executive division responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy. It is the president's principal means of conducting treaty negotiations and effecting agreements with foreign nations. Under its control are the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, seven bureaus of political affairs, the U.S. Foreign Service (including 270 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions, and numerous subagencies), and various offices of diplomatic security, foreign intelligence, policy analysis, international narcotics control, protocol, and passport and medical services. The department's legal adviser advises the secretary of state on all matters of international law arising in the conduct of foreign relations.