a person who has the calling and function of preaching the Christian Gospel, esp a Protestant clergyman
a person who preaches
1175–1225; Middle English precho ( u ) r < Old French prech ( e ) or, earlier preëch ( e ) or < Late Latin praedicātor. See preach, -or 2
A preacher is a Christian religious leader. On Sundays, preachers deliver sermons in churches. While it's possible to preach, or proclaim publicly, about non-religious topics, you're most likely to find the word preacher describing an evangelist Christian minister or pastor. There are also informal street preachers who preach the gospel to people who walk by. Preacher comes from the Latin word praedicatorem, "public praiser," or "proclaimer."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Soon after, Wiesel’s eccentric instructor makes his way to Israel where, like an itinerant preacher, he speaks to enthusiastic audiences at one kibbutz after another.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Then there’s Paula White, a charismatic preacher who has long been close to Trump.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
The preacher pleaded ignorance, but Pyongyang was a familiar place for the Graham family.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
Emily says the real Eric was very different to the pious preacher he portrayed himself to be.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
The preacher reached a hand out toward him, waving him forward.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
