secretary of state: Meaning and Definition of

sec'retary of state'

1. the head and chief administrator of the U.S. Department of State. Cf.
2. any of several ministers in the British government: A new secretary of state for the Home Department has been appointed.
3. (in the U.S.) the appointed or elected official in a state government whose chief function is to distribute statutes, administer elections, keep archives, etc.