secretariat

noun

sec·​re·​tar·​i·​at ˌse-krə-ˈter-ē-ət How to pronounce secretariat (audio)
-ē-ˌat
1
: the office of secretary
2
: a secretarial corps
specifically : the clerical staff of an organization
3
: the administrative department of a governmental organization

Examples of secretariat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Asif said the three countries were establishing a secretariat and putting the alliance's framework in place. — Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026 Accompanying the president was Prasetyo Hadi, the head of the state secretariat. — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The arrangement includes a new organization, to be overseen by a secretariat in Saudi Arabia, and regular meetings among the foreign and defense ministers of the three countries, along with their military chiefs. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 The three countries would also establish a secretariat, to be based in Saudi Arabia, Fidan said. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secretariat

Word History

Etymology

French secrétariat, from Medieval Latin secretariatus, from secretarius

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of secretariat was in 1811

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secretariat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secretariat. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

secretariat

noun
sec·​re·​tar·​i·​at ˌsek-rə-ˈter-ē-ət How to pronounce secretariat (audio)
-ē-ˌat
1
: the secretaries of an organization
2
: the division of administration of a governmental organization
the United Nations secretariat

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