catechist

American  

[kat-i-kist] / ˈkæt ɪ kɪst /

noun

1. a person who catechizes.

2. Ecclesiastical. a person appointed to instruct catechumens in the principles of religion as a preparation for baptism.

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Other Word Forms

• catechistic adjective
• catechistical adjective
• catechistically adverb
• noncatechistic adjective
• noncatechistical adjective

Etymology

Origin of catechist

1555–65; < Late Latin catēchista < Greek katēchistḗs, equivalent to katēch ( eîn ) to teach by word of mouth, originally to din down, i.e. to get results by shouting ( kat- cata- + ēcheîn to sound) + istēs -ist

Example Sentences

Kaaleeraq Ringsted, the catechist of the tiny parish, lives alone at 74.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Jaime specialized in satellites for Northrup Grumman; Gloria volunteered as a catechist at the San Gabriel Mission while employed as a school health clerk, a job she still holds.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

At St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in Bethesda, he was council president, catechist and Eucharistic minister.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2022

Francis gave a bible to each lector and a crucifix to each catechist.

From Reuters • Jan. 23, 2022

He knew Latin, too, often quoted the articles of Vatican I, and spent most of his time at St. Paul’s, where he had been the first catechist.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie