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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Foreign Policy & the State

Head of state

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

nounCore term

In international relations & diplomacy, head of state means: The person who represents a state at the highest level, such as a president or monarch; this role may or may not be held by the head of government as well.

In Turkish: devlet başkanı

How it is used

Important in protocol: ambassadors present credentials to the head of state, and heads of state enjoy immunity abroad. 'Heads of state and government' is the usual phrase for summits. In parliamentary systems the prime minister is the 'head of government'.

Example sentences

  1. More than 40 heads of state attended the opening ceremony.

  2. In that country the monarch is head of state, while the prime minister leads the government.

  3. The visit will include a meeting with the head of state.

Common collocations

  • heads of state and government
  • visiting head of state
  • state visit
  • head of state immunity
  • summitA high-level meeting between heads of state or government, often lasting a day or two, to discuss major issues and agree on joint decisions or statements.
  • credentialsThe formal letter from one head of state to another that introduces a new ambassador; the ambassador is fully recognised in the post after presenting it.
  • protocolThe formal rules of behaviour and ceremony in diplomacy, such as order of precedence and forms of address; also an additional agreement that amends or adds to a treaty.
  • diplomatic immunityThe legal protection that diplomats have in the country where they serve, which means they cannot be arrested or prosecuted there.
  • ambassadorThe highest-ranking diplomat who represents their country in another country or at an international organisation, usually as head of an embassy or permanent mission.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Foreign Policy & the State

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