secretariat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secretariat" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an administrative office or department, especially in organizations or governments. Example: "The secretariat is responsible for coordinating the activities of the organization and ensuring effective communication among its members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nicola Magrini of the Essential Medicines List secretariat at the WHO said the committee's decision was unanimous, after two reviews of the evidence on the drugs.

The Guardian

A group called the Northwest Santa Tecla Ecological Defence Committee has filed a complaint with the environmental secretariat at the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Act (DR-Cafta) alleging that the Villa Veranda development could threaten local water supplies, biodiversity and quality of life for communities nearby.

The Guardian

However, an email seen by the Guardian from the honours and appointments secretariat in the Cabinet Office notes that "the case has been referred to the appropriate nominating department for their assessment".

The Guardian

Here's the Norwegian tongue-twister bit by bit:fylkes   traffik  sikkerhets  utvalgs      secretariats  leder   funksjonene Peoples traffic  security     committee  secretariat   leader functionsNearly all the words are recognisably cousins to their English equivalents.

The Economist

Neither exhibits such a high ratio of prominent negative attacks to prominent positive suggestions.Mr Miliband's kitchen cabinet a decent bunch intimate that such matters are out of their hands; the work of the party's secretariat in Brewer's Green.

The Economist

Strong resistance from the OECD's constituents and some secretariat officials repeatedly delayed its publication and diluted its content.

The Economist

That means lots more meetings, travel and papers.Last week Finland's foreign minister, Alexander Stubb, said that the Arctic Council, a once-sleepy forum for the governments of countries near the North Pole, needed to become a proper organisation with a permanent secretariat.

The Economist

The new outfit's 29-strong secretariat will be an appointed body; an executive board of seven will provide a rotating presidency that should change every few months.The new council says Syrians of all sects must unite for a multiparty democracy.

The Economist

Its secretariat had been planning to use the most recent session, at the end of last month, to publish some draft articles on a common EU foreign policy but decided to delay unveiling them for fear of ridicule.

The Economist

Dr Fox is sounding radical perhaps too radical, given the uncertainty about future threats.Up to 40 separate studies of defence expenditure are close to completion, which will be submitted to the NSC's small secretariat, led by the new national security adviser, Sir Peter Ricketts, a former head of the Foreign Office.

The Economist

A brief visit to China in 2007 by inspectors from the CITES secretariat suggested that things had improved: they said that ivory was becoming harder to find, though they came across a shop in the city of Xi'an with ivory carvings of dubious provenance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific organization's administrative body, use the full and official name of the "secretariat" at first mention. For subsequent references, you can use "the secretariat" or a suitable abbreviation.

Common error

Avoid using "secretary" when referring to the entire administrative office. "Secretary" refers to an individual, while "secretariat" refers to the department or office.

Linguistic Context

The word "secretariat" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the administrative body or department of an organization or government. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "secretariat" refers to an administrative office or department, typically within a government or organization. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, "secretariat" describes entities responsible for administrative tasks and coordination. Alternatives include "administrative office" and "executive office". Understanding the specific role and context ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

administrative office

This alternative replaces "secretariat" with a more general term for an office that handles administrative tasks.

executive office

This alternative suggests a focus on executive functions within the administrative body.

governing body

This term emphasizes the role of the "secretariat" in governance and decision-making.

administrative center

Highlights the central role of the "secretariat" in managing administrative affairs.

central administration

Focuses on the centralized aspect of the administrative function.

department of administration

Specifies the "secretariat" as a department responsible for administration.

office of the secretary

Emphasizes the role of the secretary in managing the office.

headquarters

This alternative refers to the main operational center, often including administrative functions.

bureau

Replaces "secretariat" with another term for a governmental or administrative department.

agency headquarters

Identifies the "secretariat" as the main office of an agency.

FAQs

How is "secretariat" typically used in a sentence?

The word "secretariat" is used to refer to an administrative office or department, often within a government or organization. For example, "The secretariat is responsible for coordinating the activities of the organization."

What are some alternatives to the word "secretariat"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "administrative office", "executive office", or "governing body".

Is there a difference between "secretariat" and "secretary"?

Yes, "secretary" refers to an individual person holding a position, while "secretariat" refers to the entire administrative department or office.

In what contexts is the word "secretariat" most commonly used?

The word "secretariat" is commonly used in formal contexts such as in news, media, government, and business settings to refer to the administrative office or department.