priest

[preest]

noun

1. a person whose office it is to perform religious rites, and especially to make sacrificial offerings.

2. (in Christian use)

   1. a person ordained to the sacerdotal or pastoral office; a member of the clergy; minister.

   2. (in hierarchical churches) a member of the clergy of the order next below that of bishop, authorized to carry out the Christian ministry.

3. a minister of any religion.

verb (used with object)

1. to ordain as a priest.

priest

/ priːst /

noun

1. Christianity a person ordained to act as a mediator between God and man in administering the sacraments, preaching, blessing, guiding, etc

2. (in episcopal Churches) a minister in the second grade of the hierarchy of holy orders, ranking below a bishop but above a deacon

3. a minister of any religion

4. Judaism a descendant of the family of Aaron who has certain privileges in the synagogue service

5. (in some non-Christian religions) an official who offers sacrifice on behalf of the people and performs other religious ceremonies

6. (sometimes capital) a variety of fancy pigeon having a bald pate with a crest or peak at the back of the head

7. angling a small club used to kill fish caught

verb

1. to make a priest; ordain

priest

1. One who is designated an authority on religious matters. In some churches, especially the Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Roman Catholic Church, the ordained church leader who serves a congregation of believers is called a priest. The priests in these churches administer the sacraments, preach, and care for the needs of their congregations. (See also minister and pastor.)

Other Word Forms

• priestless adjective
• priestlike adjective
• antipriest adjective
• underpriest noun
• unpriestlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of priest¹

before 900; Middle English prest ( e ), priest, Old English prēost, ultimately < Late Latin presbyter presbyter

Word History and Origins

Origin of priest¹

Old English prēost, apparently from _presbyter ; related to Old High German prēster, Old French prestre

Example Sentences

Naming the finale “Sacrament” may be the most positively Catholic moment in a show revolving around the most Catholic of families, including a cousin who’s a priest that drinks.

From Salon

A former priest convicted of abusing members of a "cult-like" church group will face a second trial next year.

From BBC

He then allegedly visited the church in person and made more threats, which were reported by the priest to the Sheriff’s Department.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Forey moved to Wales in 2020 and a week after being made a priest was put in charge of the Citizen Church in Cathays.

From BBC

Raised in South Gate, he listened to a podcast a few years ago hosted by a Black priest — “I didn’t even know there were Black American Catholics,” admitted Padilla, an ad executive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cleric 
• elder 
• father 
• friar 
• lama 
• monk 
• preacher 
• rector