ministry
/ˈmɪnɪstrɪ; `mɪnɪstrɪ/ n
1 (US department) [C]
(buildings containing a) government department （政府的）部, 部的办公楼
the `Air Ministry 航空部
the ,Ministry of De`fence 国防部.
2
(a) the ministry [Gp]
the ministers of (esp the Protestant) religion as a body （全体）牧师（尤指新教的）
His parents intended him for the ministry, ie wanted him to become a minister. 他父母有意让他当牧师.
(b) [C usu sing 通常作单数]
duties or (period of) service of a minister of religion 牧师的职责; 牧师的服务（期限）
enter/go into/take up the ministry, ie train to become a minister of religion 做[从事/担任]牧师工作.