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

Breakdown of measles cases in Texas The measles outbreak in west Texas is growing; 36 counties have reported cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 July 2025

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Department of State and Hamas officials for comment. —Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025

In 2024, the U.S. Department of State issued 24.5 million passports, the highest amount ever recorded. —Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025

Frisco uses a demerit system for health inspections, mirroring the Texas Department of State Health Services. —Paris Goodman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2025

Rhymes for Department of State

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate

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.