preacher

[pree-cher]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR preacher ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person whose occupation or function it is to preach the gospel.

a person who preaches.

Origin of preacher

1175–1225; Middle English precho(u)r < Old French prech(e)or, earlier preëch(e)or < Late Latin praedicātor. See preach, -or²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for preacher

cleric, evangelist, missionary, clergy, parson, divine, ecclesiastic, minister, reverend, revivalist, clerical, evangelizer

Examples from the Web for preacher

Contemporary Examples of preacher

According to a Yemeni intelligence source, Saïd met with the notorious U.S. preacher Anwar al Awlaki.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers
Nico Hines
January 9, 2015
Scott, who died Sunday at 49, could go from evoking a Baptist preacher to quoting Public Enemy.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott
Stereo Williams
January 4, 2015
The best answer Sutton offers is a statement by the preacher John Roach Stratton back in 1918.
The Evangelical Apocalypse Is All Your Fault
Jay Michaelson
January 4, 2015
The preacher gave sheriff deputies permission to search his SUV but warned them “there was something bad” inside.
Exposed: The Gay-Bashing Pastor’s Same-Sex Assault
M.L. Nestel
December 21, 2014
The new copy-reader here mentioned was C.C. Foss, a cherubic little fellow who was also a Methodist preacher.
The Stacks: H.L. Mencken on the 1904 Baltimore Fire
H.L. Mencken
October 4, 2014

Historical Examples of preacher

The preacher was trying to explain to us the eternal duration of God's punishment.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
When it was finished, the preacher sat down beside the revivalist.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
The preacher's voice rose until it sounded like a trumpet blast.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
At last the hand of the preacher seemed to be pointed directly at him.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
As he quoted the preacher he mechanically drew his revolver.
The Cavalier
George Washington Cable

British Dictionary definitions for preacher

preacher

noun

a person who has the calling and function of preaching the Christian Gospel, esp a Protestant clergyman

a person who preaches

Preacher

noun

the Preacher Bible the author of Ecclesiastes or the book of Ecclesiastes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for preacher

c.1200, from Old French preecheor "preacher" (Modern French prêcheur), from Latin praedicatorem (nominative praedicator) "public praiser, eulogist," literally "proclaimer" (see preach). Slang short form preach (n.) is recorded by 1968, American English.