Definition of "secretary" in English

noun

1. A person who keeps records, takes notes and handles general clerical work.

   • I have a personal secretary to help me organize my clients.
   • The secretary at the school is in charge of communication between parents, students, and staff.

2. (often capitalized) The head of a department of government.

3. A managerial or leading position in certain non-profit organizations, such as political parties, trade unions, international organizations.

   • Ban Ki-Moon was a secretary general of the United Nations.

4. (US) A type of desk, secretary desk; a secretaire.

5. A secretary bird, a bird of the species Sagittarius serpentarius.

6. (original sense, now obsolete) Someone entrusted with a secret; a confidant.

7. (obsolete) Someone employed as a scribe for personal correspondence.

verb

1. (transitive) To serve as a secretary of.