: 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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What To Know Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), scheduled a news conference in Los Angeles last week regarding the ongoing protests, and Padilla, a California Democrat, was in attendance.—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025 The Grayslake walk, in collaboration with community partners, was launched in 2021 by Tamika Y. Nash of Grayslake, secretary of the Board of Education of Community Consolidated School District 46, and also Juneteenth event coordinator.—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 Kennedy is bringing attention to the issue as health secretary.—Will Stone, NPR, 18 June 2025 Later he was elected to the state Senate and as secretary of state.—George Skelton, Mercury News, 18 June 2025 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
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