lay reader

American  

noun

Anglican Church.

1. a layperson authorized by a bishop to conduct certain parts of a service.

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lay reader British  

noun

1. Church of England a person licensed by a bishop to conduct religious services other than the Eucharist

2. RC Church a layman chosen from among the congregation to read the epistle at Mass and sometimes other prayers

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Etymology

Origin of lay reader

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lay reader

It’s telling that while Mr. Deakins takes pains to praise his longtime gaffer, key grip, dolly grip, best boy and more, he never bothers to define those roles for the lay reader.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026

Joy Gambardella, a lay reader at the city’s Emmanuel Church, said Al Swealmeen had been a “committed Christian”.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 17, 2021

Along with a call to remember the sick and shut-in, the lay reader asks parishioners to pray for Father Charlie’s eyesight and injured arm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 25, 2019

His book is dense with information, but Walker is adroit at presenting his findings and their implications in language accessible to the lay reader.

From New York Times ● Oct. 19, 2017

This may sound a little involved, but a careful study of the accompanying diagrams will make the various movements of the mine and its sinker, after leaving the submarine, quite clear to the lay reader.

From Submarine Warfare of To-day How the Submarine Menace was Met and Vanquished, With Descriptions of the Inventions and Devices Used, Fast Boats, Mystery Ships by Domville-Fife, Charles W. (Charles William)