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• preacher
  preacher

  noun

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

  noun

  Bible the author of Ecclesiastes or the book of Ecclesiastes

preacher

American  

[pree-cher] / ˈpri tʃər /

noun

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

2. a person who preaches.

3. Friar Preacher.

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preacher ¹ British  

/ ˈpriːtʃə /

noun

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

2. a person who preaches

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Preacher ² British  

/ ˈpriːtʃə /

noun

1. Bible the author of Ecclesiastes or the book of Ecclesiastes

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Etymology

Origin of preacher

1175–1225; Middle English precho ( u ) r < Old French prech ( e ) or, earlier preëch ( e ) or < Late Latin praedicātor. See preach, -or ²

Explanation

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."

Related Words

• clergy
• cleric
• evangelist
• missionary