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

It comes after $3 million of earlier assistance, also provided through the same mechanisms, with the material aid being delivered by local parish representatives.

From Barron's

The parish priest said the paintings had simply been touched up following recent water damage - but said he did not "understand the fuss" in any case.

From BBC

The couple gives about $730 monthly to charities, often their local parish.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several parishes had taken out mortgages on their church buildings to answer margin calls.

From The Wall Street Journal

He eventually went on to become an area dean in charge of 12 parishes in Canvey Island in Essex.

From BBC

Related Words

• church