rector

American  

[rek-ter] / ˈrɛk tər /

noun

• rectors
  plural

1. a member of the clergy in charge of a parish in the Protestant Episcopal Church.

2. Roman Catholic Church. an ecclesiastic in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation.

3. Anglican Church. a member of the clergy who has the charge of a parish with full possession of all its rights, tithes, etc.

4. the head of certain universities, colleges, and schools.

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rector British  

/ ˈrɛktə /

noun

1. Church of England a clergyman in charge of a parish in which, as its incumbent, he would formerly have been entitled to the whole of the tithes Compare vicar

2. RC Church a cleric in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation

3. Episcopal Church Scottish Episcopal Church a clergyman in charge of a parish

4. the head of certain schools or colleges

5. (in Scotland) a high-ranking official in a university: now a public figure elected for three years by the students

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rectorate
  noun
• rectorship
  noun
• subrector
  noun
• rectorial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• rectors
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of rector

1350–1400; Middle English rectour < Latin rēctor helmsman, ruler, leader, equivalent to reg ( ere ) to rule + -tor -tor

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Explanation

A rector is someone with the authority to lead others in religious worship and services. Rectors conduct mass. This word originally applied to the leader of a government, but it has evolved to mean a different type of leader: a religious official with the authorization to lead church services and conduct various religious rituals and sacraments. This term is used mainly in Christian congregations. For members of the flock, the rector provides leadership and wisdom, helping them live as followers of their faith.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rector rectors

The 54-year-old pastor, a former rector of the Christian University of Sumba, wants atas to be emancipated.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

“Is it irreverent?” wondered José Antonio Carballo, the cathedral’s rector.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

Among the major threats to Rocha Moya’s political survival was the outcry about the 2024 shooting death of his one-time chief political rival, Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda, a former lawmaker and university rector.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026

Wille is rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in the North Side neighborhood of Ravenswood, known for its historic homes, tree-lined streets, vibrant arts scene and craft breweries.

From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2026

The rector from the nearby hamlet of Berwick came looking for an apprentice and, thanks to Mistress MacGregor's praise, settled on me.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

In 1431, the ecumenical Council of Basel ordered the deans and rectors of churches to expel "frivolities" and "profane abuses" from holy buildings, but implicitly allowed them to take place in the squares outside.

From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2024

University rectors also said they were working with law enforcement on increasing campus security.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 22, 2023

Last year, Ms. Mapelli made history herself, becoming the first woman to guide the university in 800 years, and one of only eight female rectors at Italy’s more than 80 universities.

From New York Times ● Jan. 5, 2022

The rectors of 20 Ecuadorian universities have signed a letter in which they “emphatically reject” the accusations against Guamán and call for “impartial justice” to be done.

From Science Magazine ● Oct. 28, 2021

The term is used in this general sense in certain rubrics of the English Book of Common Prayer, in which it is applied equally to rectors and vicars as to perpetual curates.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

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Related Words

• clergyman
• cleric
• headmaster
• pastor
• priest

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