celebrant

American  

[sel-uh-bruhnt] / ˈsɛl ə brənt /

noun

1. a participant in any celebration.

2. the officiating priest in the celebration of the Eucharist.

3. a participant in a public religious rite.

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celebrant British  

/ ˈsɛlɪbrənt /

noun

1. a person participating in a religious ceremony

2. Christianity an officiating priest, esp at the Eucharist

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Other Word Forms

• precelebrant noun

Etymology

Origin of celebrant

1830–40; < Latin celebrant- (stem of celebrāns present participle of celebrāre to solemnize, celebrate), equivalent to celebr- ( celebrate ) + -ant- -ant

Example Sentences

Caruso carried on annual holiday traditions at Palisades Village this year, including the lighting of a 50-foot Christmas tree for hundreds of celebrants Dec. 5.

From Los Angeles Times

I recall a Mass during the Reagan years in which the celebrant told the congregation at great length that nuclear war would be a Very Bad Thing.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a reality at the heart of Thanksgiving, when celebrants pass anecdotes around the table as freely as the cornbread dressing and pumpkin pie.

From The Wall Street Journal

Straight offers their grief and work much as a celebrant holds up a sacrifice, for all to see and contemplate.

From Los Angeles Times

"You can bring your own flowers, you don't need to pay for a florist, you can run the ceremony yourself, you don't need to have a religious minister or a celebrant."

From BBC