Department of State

noun phrase

: the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries

Examples of Department of State in a Sentence

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As the Texas Tribune reported, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) found the application was missing information in 22 categories. Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 1 May 2026 Those plans angered victims' families, and some prominent state officials called for regulators to deny or delay renewal of the camp's license, which had been under review by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Briauna Brown, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Camp Mystic, the Texas girls camp where 27 died in devastating floods last year, must make a slew of changes in order to reopen this summer, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026 The letters ask the Texas Department of State Health Services to decline Camp Mystic’s license, and impose a hold on its renewal and operation until investigations are complete, their findings are made public and compliance is independently verified. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Department of State

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Cite this Entry

“Department of State.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Department%20of%20State. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

Department of State

Agency
federal executive division responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy. It is the president's principal means of conducting treaty negotiations and effecting agreements with foreign nations. Under its control are the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, seven bureaus of political affairs, the U.S. Foreign Service (including 270 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions, and numerous subagencies), and various offices of diplomatic security, foreign intelligence, policy analysis, international narcotics control, protocol, and passport and medical services. The department's legal adviser advises the secretary of state on all matters of international law arising in the conduct of foreign relations.
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