rector
Americannoun
-
rectors
plural
-
a member of the clergy in charge of a parish in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
-
Roman Catholic Church. an ecclesiastic in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation.
-
Anglican Church. a member of the clergy who has the charge of a parish with full possession of all its rights, tithes, etc.
-
the head of certain universities, colleges, and schools.
noun
-
Church of England a clergyman in charge of a parish in which, as its incumbent, he would formerly have been entitled to the whole of the tithes Compare vicar
-
RC Church a cleric in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation
-
Episcopal Church Scottish Episcopal Church a clergyman in charge of a parish
-
the head of certain schools or colleges
-
(in Scotland) a high-ranking official in a university: now a public figure elected for three years by the students
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of rector
1350–1400; Middle English rectour < Latin rēctor helmsman, ruler, leader, equivalent to reg ( ere ) to rule + -tor -tor
Explanation
A rector is someone with the authority to lead others in religious worship and services. Rectors conduct mass. This word originally applied to the leader of a government, but it has evolved to mean a different type of leader: a religious official with the authorization to lead church services and conduct various religious rituals and sacraments. This term is used mainly in Christian congregations. For members of the flock, the rector provides leadership and wisdom, helping them live as followers of their faith.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The 54-year-old pastor, a former rector of the Christian University of Sumba, wants atas to be emancipated.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
“Is it irreverent?” wondered José Antonio Carballo, the cathedral’s rector.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
Wille is rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in the North Side neighborhood of Ravenswood, known for its historic homes, tree-lined streets, vibrant arts scene and craft breweries.
From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2026
Her father was the rector of two parishes and ran a small boys’ school to supplement the family’s meager income.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025
Fie was rector of a rather posh boys’ school in Berlin.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
In 1431, the ecumenical Council of Basel ordered the deans and rectors of churches to expel "frivolities" and "profane abuses" from holy buildings, but implicitly allowed them to take place in the squares outside.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2024
University rectors also said they were working with law enforcement on increasing campus security.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
Washington awarded them contracts to build two demonstration rectors by 2028 and shared the costs.
From Reuters ● Oct. 20, 2022
University rectors have been bricked into their offices and graffiti still adorns the walls of most Greek universities.
From New York Times ● Oct. 9, 2022
That position belongs to Trinity College, Cambridge, who are also rectors of the church, by the gift of their earliest founder, Hervey de Stanton, Chancellor to Edward the Second.
From Highways and Byways in Cambridge and Ely by Edward Conybeare
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
