presbytery

American  

[prez-bi-ter-ee, pres-] / ˈprɛz bɪˌtɛr i, ˈprɛs- /

noun

plural

presbyteries

1. a body of presbyters or elders.

2. (in Presbyterian churches) an ecclesiastical court consisting of all the ministers and one or two presbyters from each congregation in a district.

3. the churches under the jurisdiction of a presbytery.

4. the part of a church appropriated to the clergy.

5. Roman Catholic Church. a rectory.

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presbytery British  

/ ˈprɛzbɪtərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

1. Presbyterian Church

   1. a local Church court composed of ministers and elders

   2. the congregations or churches within the jurisdiction of any such court

2. the part of a cathedral or church east of the choir, in which the main altar is situated; sanctuary

3. presbyters or elders collectively

4. government of a church by presbyters or elders

5. RC Church the residence of a parish priest

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Etymology

Origin of presbytery

1375–1425; late Middle English presbetory, presbitory priests' bench, for Late Latin presbyterium group of elders < Greek presbytérion. See presbyter, -y ³

Example Sentences

It is not just the black and white photograph of Huguette outside a French presbytery that has remained close to Reg all this time, it was the hope of one day tracking down her down.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2022

Stationed since 7 a.m. within the pale-green walls of the tiny presbytery room, he was supposed to have been relieved after working an eight-hour shift.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2019

For the first time since they shared the St Alipius presbytery at Ballarat in the 1970s, George Pell will be back under the same roof as the worst of the worst.

From The Guardian • Feb. 27, 2019

The local presbytery of the Presbyterian Church USA asked its leaders last year to embark on a period of self-assessment.

From Washington Post • Oct. 23, 2017

That dedicated to S. Peter is behind this pulpit on the north side of the presbytery.

From Cathedral Cities of Italy by Collins, William Wiehe