parish

American  

[par-ish] / ˈpær ɪʃ /

noun

1. an ecclesiastical district having its own church and member of the clergy.

2. a local church with its field of activity.

3. (in Louisiana) a county.

4. the people of an ecclesiastical or civil parish.

5. Curling. house.

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idioms

1. on the parish,

   1. receiving charity from local authorities.

   2. Informal. meagerly or inadequately supplied.

parish British  

/ ˈpærɪʃ /

noun

1. a subdivision of a diocese, having its own church and a clergyman

2. the churchgoers of such a subdivision

3. (in England and, formerly, Wales) the smallest unit of local government in rural areas

4. (in Louisiana) a unit of local government corresponding to a county in other states of the US

5. the people living in a parish

6. history receiving parochial relief

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Other Word Forms

• interparish adjective
• transparish adjective

Etymology

Origin of parish

1250–1300; Middle English, variant of parosshe < Middle French paroisse < Late Latin parochia, alteration of paroecia < Late Greek paroikía, derivative of Greek pároikos neighbor, (in Christian usage) sojourner ( paroicous ); -ia

Example Sentences

Her father was the rector of two parishes and ran a small boys’ school to supplement the family’s meager income.

From Los Angeles Times

The bonuses are a shot in the arm to the city and parish, which counts Fibrebond as its biggest employer, says Minden’s mayor, Nick Cox.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the Synod rejected that, instead voting for independent oversight at a national level, while the Church retains control in dioceses and parishes.

From BBC

These sites, often located on parish boundaries, represent a marginalised sector of medieval society.

From BBC

Mr. Butler-Gallie, a parish priest in the Cotswolds in England and the author of “A Field Guide to the English Clergy,” is literate and entertaining.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• church