the Ministry of Defence
/ðə ˌmɪnɪstri əv dɪˈfens/
/ðə ˌmɪnɪstri əv dɪˈfens/
(abbreviation the MOD)
- the British government department in charge of the armed forces. It was established in 1964, when the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Ministry were joined together. It is in Whitehall and the title of its head is Secretary of State for Defence.