SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Secretary of Defense mean? 

• SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (noun)
  The noun SECRETARY OF DEFENSE has 2 senses:

1. the person who holds the secretaryship of the Defense Department

2. the position of the head of the Department of Defense

  Familiarity information: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The person who holds the secretaryship of the Defense Department

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Defense Secretary; Secretary of Defense

Context example:

the first Defense Secretary was James V. Forrestal who was appointed by Truman

Hypernyms ("Secretary of Defense" is a kind of...):

secretary (a person who is head of an administrative department of government)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The position of the head of the Department of Defense

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

Defense Secretary; Secretary of Defense

Context example:

the position of Defense Secretary was created in 1947

Hypernyms ("Secretary of Defense" is a kind of...):

secretaryship (the position of secretary)

Holonyms ("Secretary of Defense" is a member of...):

United States Cabinet; US Cabinet (a board to advise the President; members are the secretaries of executive departments; the United States constitution does not provide for the cabinet)