preceptor

American  

[pri-sep-ter, pree-sep-] / prɪˈsɛp tər, ˈpri sɛp- /

noun

• preceptors
  plural

1. an instructor; teacher; tutor.

2. the head of a school.

3. the head of a preceptory.

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preceptor British  

/ prɪˈsɛptə /

noun

1. a practising physician giving practical training to a medical student

2. the head of a preceptory

3. rare a tutor or instructor

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preceptorate
  noun
• preceptorship
  noun
• preceptress
  noun
• subpreceptor
  noun
• subpreceptorate
  noun
• preceptoral
  adjective
• preceptorial
  adjective
• subpreceptoral
  adjective
• subpreceptorial
  adjective
• preceptorially
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• preceptors
  plural

Etymology

Origin of preceptor

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word praeceptor. See precept, -tor

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preceptor preceptors

Clark also told the instructor that "you are not going to treat me that way" and "you are the worst preceptor I have ever had."

From Fox News ● Aug. 9, 2021

Mother wit came to the rescue in the person of Anicetus the freedman, preceptor of Nero’s boyish years, and detested by Agrippina with a vigour which was reciprocated.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2019

More recently, Rosa worked as a training captain, leading new firefighters through the academy, and a paramedic preceptor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2018

I recently saw a posting on Facebook in a yard sale group asking for a preceptor.

From New York Times ● Nov. 20, 2017

My preceptor indicated that it would delight him to offer assistance upon any point wherein his small powers might prove of use—declensions, verb irregularities.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

"As an educator, Jutta nurtured many students, preceptors and clinicians to flourish and grow. That her work continues to enrich the tapestry of occupational therapy in Alberta is her legacy," the statement continued.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2025

"So we've been having conversations with the training partners that we work with about their staffing needs, and talking about how we can increase capacity, staffing their clinics with our preceptors," Hunt said.

From Salon ● May 7, 2022

The departures are also taking their toll on nursing education, which relies on clinical instructors and preceptors, the experienced, hands-on nurses who mentor students on the job.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 14, 2021

Here, he recollects the feeling of reading Greek myths after millennia “of moralizers, preceptors, dramatists, hypocrites and scolds” have had their way in mediating them for our consumption:

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2019

Under the guidance of my new preceptors I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher’s stone and the elixir of life; but the latter soon obtained my undivided attention.

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley