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Glite Dictionary
secretariate

secretariate

1 8.6
An office that keeps records and does everyday office tasks for an organization
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛkrəˈtɛriət/
  • Formal
: secretaría
  • The United Nations secretariate efficiently coordinated communications between member states.

Examples

  • The secretariate ensured that meeting minutes were accurately distributed.

  • All official records are archived by the secretariate of the committee.

  • The secretariat manages all official communications.

  • Did the secretariat send out the invitations?

  • All official records are archived by the secretariate of the committee.

  • The secretariate ensured that meeting minutes were accurately distributed.

  • The United Nations secretariate efficiently coordinated communications between member states.

Synonyms

secretariat
vssecretariate
  • Formal
9 6.8

An office that manages records, letters, and emails for a large organization

is an alternative form used for the same office in international settings

Surface Forms

secretariate singular
secretariates plural
secretariats plural
secretariat singular

Morphology

secretariate = secretary (transparent) = secretary + ate

The meaning is directly derived from 'secretary' with a noun-forming suffix indicating an office or function related to secretaries.

Etymology

The word secretariate comes from the same root as secret and secretary, which meant 'private' or 'kept hidden'. Long ago a secretary was a person trusted with private papers and letters, so a secretariate is the office that keeps and manages important records and communications.