first minister

plural first ministers · alternative First Minister

1. The principal minister of a ruler or state.First known use 17th c.

   The king, knowing that he had an alternative administration in waiting, accepted the first minister's wish.

   2016, Peter Ackroyd, Revolution, Pan Macmillan, published 2017, page 339

2. CanadaoftenpluralThe prime minister or a provincial or territorial premier.
3. UKgovernmentA leader of a devolved government such as Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

   Yousaf is almost certain to be confirmed as Scotland’s next first minister in a nominal vote at Holyrood on Tuesday but now has to bridge those divides by bringing the SNP’s warring wings together.

   2023 March 27, Severin Carrell, Libby Brooks, “Humza Yousaf elected leader of Scottish National party”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   1 more example

   The Welsh first minister has defended his decision to travel to Qatar for the World Cup, saying he feels that the citizens of Wales want their country’s leader there despite concerns about human rights and working conditions.

   2022 November 20, Steven Morris, “Welsh first minister defends trip to World Cup in Qatar”, in The Guardian

plural First Ministers

1. Alternative letter-case form of first minister.