priest

American  

[preest] / prist /

noun

• priests
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• priests
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of priest

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

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Explanation

A priest is a religious figure who performs ceremonies, particularly in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Orthodox church. During a Catholic baptism, a priest sprinkles holy water on a baby's head. Though priests are often thought of as Christian, there are other religions with priests, including some branches of Shintoism and Hinduism. Priests often lead religious services, perform weddings and other religious rites, and in many cases work full time for their churches. Priest comes from the Old English prēost, and it shares a root with Presbyterian, the Greek presbyteros, "an elder."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

priest priests

Kessler thought Spengler a “fat priest with a fat chin and brutal mouth” and his theories “the most hackneyed, trivial stuff,” but Kessler sensed the ominous turn in Germany’s cultural politics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

He said the Catholic Church would "reach out as best we can" to help those affected and the parish priest would minister to the bereaved family and support the local community.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

Our critic called the show at MoMA “a multi-museum-sanctioned liturgy—the canonization of contemporary art’s high priest, along with his orthodoxy.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

I will be a man of integrity and accountability as I lead, guide and pray over my daughter and as the high priest in my home.

From Salon ● May 3, 2006

She asks again if his name is Father Julien, and if he is a La Salette priest.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Unfortunately, I have always struggled with disappointing authority figures: professors, bosses, priests, parents — and, apparently, severe-bunned bakers.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

Under this traditional model, kings, priests, and other powerful leaders gained control of wealth and resources, causing the divide between rich and poor to expand.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026

We learned about the annual return of swallows, admired blooming roses and citrus trees and absorbed a simple story: Spanish conquistadors and Catholic priests tamed a wild land, and we should follow their example.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026

The Vatican has declared a formal schism with the Society of St. Pius X, excommunicating its bishops and priests in a sweeping crackdown on a traditionalist group that has vexed the Holy See for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

The mermaids were dancing and singing in Latin like the priests do at the cathedral during Mass. You were there with me too, at the bottom of the sea.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

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Related Words

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

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