1. The position of the head of the Department of Defense
   "the position of Defense Secretary was created in 1947";
   - Secretary of Defense
    
2. The person who holds the secretaryship of the Defense Department
   "the first Defense Secretary was James V. Forrestal who was appointed by Truman";
   - Secretary of Defense

Derived forms: Defense Secretaries

Type of: secretary, secretaryship

Part of: United States Cabinet, US Cabinet

Encyclopedia: Defense Secretary