Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - ministry

 noun  (plural -tries)  Date: 14th century  1. ministration  2. the office, duties, or functions of a minister  3. the body of ministers of religion ; clergy  4. a person or thing through which something is accomplished ; agency, instrumentality  5. the period of service or office of a minister or ~  6. often capitalized  a. the body of ministers governing a nation or state from which a smaller cabinet is sometimes selected  b. the group of ministers constituting a cabinet  7.  a. a government department presided over by a minister  b. the building in which the business of a ~ is transacted