priest

American  

[preest] / prist /

noun

1. a person whose office it is to perform religious rites, and especially to make sacrificial offerings.

2. (in Christian use)

   1. a person ordained to the sacerdotal or pastoral office; a member of the clergy; minister.

   2. (in hierarchical churches) a member of the clergy of the order next below that of bishop, authorized to carry out the Christian ministry.

3. a minister of any religion.

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verb (used with object)

1. to ordain as a priest.

priest British  

/ priːst /

noun

1. Christianity a person ordained to act as a mediator between God and man in administering the sacraments, preaching, blessing, guiding, etc

2. (in episcopal Churches) a minister in the second grade of the hierarchy of holy orders, ranking below a bishop but above a deacon

3. a minister of any religion

4. Judaism a descendant of the family of Aaron who has certain privileges in the synagogue service

5. (in some non-Christian religions) an official who offers sacrifice on behalf of the people and performs other religious ceremonies

6. (sometimes capital) a variety of fancy pigeon having a bald pate with a crest or peak at the back of the head

7. angling a small club used to kill fish caught

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verb

1. to make a priest; ordain

priest Cultural  

1. One who is designated an authority on religious matters. In some churches, especially the Anglican Communion, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Roman Catholic Church, the ordained church leader who serves a congregation of believers is called a priest. The priests in these churches administer the sacraments, preach, and care for the needs of their congregations. (See also minister and pastor.)

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Other Word Forms

• antipriest adjective
• priestless adjective
• priestlike adjective
• underpriest noun
• unpriestlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of priest

before 900; Middle English prest ( e ), priest, Old English prēost, ultimately < Late Latin presbyter presbyter

Example Sentences

"We have come here with broken hearts and confused minds, with so many questions. Why death in the bloom of youth, and why like this?" said the priest.

From Barron's

A different Father — Benedictine priest Maximilian Maxwell— sprinkled holy water in the end zone before his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday with the AFC North title on the line.

From Los Angeles Times

"I had a wonderful letter from an ordained woman who said the announcement of my appointment was the first time that she felt affirmed as a priest," she told BBC Radio 4.

From BBC

"I think it was something about being in that chapel, which has been there for over 1,000 years, with the priests, with the candles," he said.

From BBC

On the journey home from the first World Cup, Eisenbeisser contracted pneumonia and a priest was called to administer the last rites.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cleric
• elder
• father
• friar
• lama
• monk
• preacher
• rector