missionary

American  

[mish-uh-ner-ee] / ˈmɪʃ əˌnɛr i /

noun

plural

missionaries

1. a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities, as educational or hospital work.

   There are opportunities for student missionaries living abroad to work with people in need of aid, participate in building projects, and share the Gospel.

2. a person strongly in favor of a program, set of principles, etc., who attempts to persuade or convert others.

3. a person who is sent on a mission.

4. missionary position.

---

adjective

1. pertaining to or connected with religious missions.

2. engaged in such a mission or devoted to work connected with missions.

3. reflecting or prompted by the desire to persuade or convert others.

   the missionary efforts of political fanatics.

4. characteristic of a missionary.

   missionary zeal.

5. relating to or noting the missionary position.

   Then it was up to the bedroom for some good, old-fashioned missionary sex.

missionary British  

/ ˈmɪʃənərɪ /

noun

1. a member of a religious mission

---

adjective

1. of or relating to missionaries

   missionary work

2. resulting from a desire to convert people to one's own beliefs

   missionary zeal

Other Word Forms

• nonmissionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of missionary

First recorded in 1625–35; from New Latin missiōnārius; mission, -ary

Example Sentences

Prevost was little known to the wider public except in Peru, where he was greatly admired during his more than 20 years as a missionary and bishop.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

My grandpa retired at 70 after working as a missionary for most of his life and later at a national laboratory.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

Weston Port, the former San Juan Hills High standout linebacker, is finishing up his second year as a Mormon missionary on assignment in Spain.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

Leo is expected to make several foreign trips this year, including to Africa, Peru, where he worked for two decades as a missionary, and possibly also Spain.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

It was like some land of prison-work farm for our liberal, white, vegetarian do-gooders and conservative, white missionary saviors.

From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie

Related Words

• clergy
• evangelist
• messenger
• pastor
• preacher
• teacher