prelate

American  

[prel-it] / ˈprɛl ɪt /

noun

1. an ecclesiastic of a high order, as an archbishop, bishop, etc.; a church dignitary.

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prelate British  

/ prɪˈlætɪk, ˈprɛlɪt /

noun

1. a Church dignitary of high rank, such as a cardinal, bishop, or abbot

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Other Word Forms

• nonprelatic adjective
• prelateship noun
• prelatic adjective
• unprelatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of prelate

1175–1225; Middle English prelat < Medieval Latin praelātus a civil or ecclesiastical dignitary, noun use of Latin praelātus (past participle of praeferre to prefer ), equivalent to prae- pre- + lātus, suppletive past participle of ferre to bear ¹

Explanation

A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy, such as a cardinal, abbot, or bishop, who has authority over lesser clergy. Both Catholic and Protestant religions have prelates in their ranks. The source of prelate is the Latin adjective praelatus, "noble," whose meaning is appropriate to the modern meaning, a high-level church dignitary. The word was applied to those high-ranking clergymen around the beginning of the 13th century, the Middle English coming from the Middle French prelat. As the church's importance increased, so did the importance implied by the word prelate. Ambrose Bierce referred to a prelate as "one of Heaven's aristocracy."

Example Sentences

I just thought I’d share that as our president, who grew up on Milton Berle and the great comics of early television, continues verbal war with a different prelate, Pope Leo XIV.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Tensions with Cardinal Burke, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, have been simmering for nearly a decade, with the American prelate openly criticising Pope Francis over both social and liturgical issues.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2023

The diplomatic source said negotiations between the government and the country's Catholic bishops are ongoing over Alvarez's future, and that the formerly jailed prelate was currently at the Catholic episcopal compound in the capital.

From Reuters • Jul. 5, 2023

He said the prelate had sent him a 2017 letter saying Mr. Pavone should seek to be released from the ministry.

From Washington Times • Dec. 22, 2022

The story of a prince who could not be killed, a priest who warned of a goddess’s wrath, a French prelate who believed he’d bought the same stone centuries later.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• bishop