missionary

American  

[mish-uh-ner-ee] / ˈmɪʃ əˌnɛr i /

noun

plural

missionaries

1. a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities, as educational or hospital work.

   There are opportunities for student missionaries living abroad to work with people in need of aid, participate in building projects, and share the Gospel.

2. a person strongly in favor of a program, set of principles, etc., who attempts to persuade or convert others.

3. a person who is sent on a mission.

4. missionary position.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or connected with religious missions.

2. engaged in such a mission or devoted to work connected with missions.

3. reflecting or prompted by the desire to persuade or convert others.

   the missionary efforts of political fanatics.

4. characteristic of a missionary.

   missionary zeal.

5. relating to or noting the missionary position.

   Then it was up to the bedroom for some good, old-fashioned missionary sex.

missionary British  

/ ˈmɪʃənərɪ /

noun

1. a member of a religious mission

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adjective

1. of or relating to missionaries

   missionary work

2. resulting from a desire to convert people to one's own beliefs

   missionary zeal

Other Word Forms

• nonmissionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of missionary

First recorded in 1625–35; from New Latin missiōnārius; mission, -ary

Example Sentences

While Pope Leo spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, Hicks worked at an orphanage in El Salvador from 2005 to 2010, according to a biography released by the New York archdiocese.

From BBC

When her sons were born, and missionaries knocked on the door, she says she "felt the Holy Ghost's presence".

From BBC

DeVaughn, the daughter of missionaries, grew up in Argentina and lived in Mexico before coming to the U.S. and starting to work at the church.

From Los Angeles Times

When their family were ushered to Zimbabwe in 1984, Ms Rugg said it was framed by her father as "noble work", sacrificing his "glittering career" to become a missionary.

From BBC

It was meant to re-energize the faith for mission, with every Catholic a missionary and with ancient, enduring truths being proclaimed in a language audible to contemporary ears.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• clergy
• evangelist
• messenger
• pastor
• preacher
• teacher