rector
Americannoun
-
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
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.
Rocha began his career as a math teacher and later became rector of Sinaloa Autonomous University.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
The men behind the new law included Francis Orpen Morris, a naturalist who was rector of Nunburnholme, and Henry Barnes-Lawrence, the vicar of Bridlington, as historian David Neave explains.
From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026
Father Fred Wekesa, the rector of the Saint Augustine Basilica at Annaba where Leo will celebrate mass, said the pope's upcoming visit would give his small flock a "message of encouragement and solidarity".
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 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
I thought he was going to march right up to the podium and have a word with the rector.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
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.
