subsecretary

noun

sub·​sec·​re·​tary ˌsəb-ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce subsecretary (audio)
-ˈse-kə-ˌter-,
 in rapid speech also  -ˈsek-ˌter-,
 especially British  -ˈse-k(r)ə-trē
variants or sub-secretary
plural subsecretaries or sub-secretaries
: a secretary who is subordinate to another secretary
subsecretary of war

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsecretary was circa 1637

Dictionary Entries Near subsecretary

Cite this Entry

“Subsecretary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsecretary. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!