priest

American  

[preest] / prist /

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 British  

/ 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 Cultural  

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

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

Etymology

Origin of priest

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

Example Sentences

He didn’t think Tomás understood a word the priest was saying, but that wasn’t the point.

From Literature

As he tells his story to Harker, we get flashbacks to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, while Waltz’s priest, the most entertaining part of the film, disappears completely.

From Los Angeles Times

After speeches by Buddhist priests and the mayor, hundreds of white doves were freed from their cages.

From Literature

The arrival of the new priest, scandalously young and bringing all the old ladies to mass several times a day.

From Literature

The parish priest said the paintings had simply been touched up following recent water damage - but said he did not "understand the fuss" in any case.

From BBC

Related Words

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