Undersecretary

/ˌʌndərˈsɛkrəˌtɛri/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A government official who is subordinate to a secretary and typically handles specific administrative responsibilities or areas of policy.

The undersecretary of education announced new guidelines for school funding.

An official in a government department who assists the secretary and may stand in for them when necessary.

During the meeting, the undersecretary represented the secretary who was unable to attend.

A title used in various organizations to denote a position of authority below that of a secretary.

The undersecretary for international affairs played a key role in the negotiations.

From the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' and 'secretary', originating from Latin 'secretarius' meaning 'one entrusted with secrets'.

undersecretary of state

An undersecretary in the department of state, often involved in foreign affairs.

acting undersecretary

A person temporarily filling the role of undersecretary.

senior undersecretary

A more experienced or higher-ranking undersecretary within a department.

secretary

An official in charge of a department or a person who handles correspondence.

administration

The management of public affairs.

Underboss

In some political circles, the undersecretary is viewed as the underboss, key to executing directives.

Bureaucrat

Some refer to an undersecretary simply as a bureaucrat, emphasizing their administrative role.