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

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

Graeber had mastered the art of pulling new research out of his home field and contextualizing it for the lay reader.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2023

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

It demands of the lay reader an ability to compartmentalize that may be difficult for some to maintain.

From Slate • Oct. 17, 2020

Of this period the lay reader finds such conflicting accounts that he either is bewildered or else boldly indulges his prejudices.

From The Forty-Niners A Chronicle of the California Trail and El Dorado by White, Stewart Edward