priest

[preest]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to ordain as a priest.

priest

/ 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

verb

1. to make a priest; ordain

priest

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.)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of priest¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of priest¹

Old English prēost, apparently from _presbyter ; related to Old High German prēster, Old French prestre

Example Sentences

Parish priest Rev Robert Gladstone, who also gave evidence, said he was approached by someone who told him her name was Julia and asked to be introduced to the McCanns.

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Some carry passports to be blessed by priests.

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Wine is used at Mass to symbolise the blood of Jesus Christ and is normally drunk by the priest.

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As the priest wisely reminds us, “We shouldn’t live this moment as a defeat.”

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He initially trained to become a Catholic priest before studying political science in Paris.

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Related Words

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