deacon

noun

dea·​con ˈdē-kən 

plural deacons

: a subordinate officer in a Christian church: such as

a

: a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox cleric ranking next below a priest

b

: one of the laity elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees

c

: a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood

Synonyms of deacon

• priest
• preacher
• bishop
• clergyman
• pastor

Examples of deacon in a Sentence

my cousin was married by his uncle, who is also a deacon in his church

Recent Examples on the Web

Pollio was living in Sebring and was a deacon at his church there, his father said. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026

While women cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, they are not forbidden from teaching the faith as theologians, catechists and scholars. —Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026

For his part, Marshall, who has served as an elder and a deacon in his own church, previously championed removing a federal prohibition on churches and other religious organizations directly engaging in political campaigns. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026

In 2010 then-primate Nicholas Okoh endorsed the ordination of women as deacons, though only in limited forms of ministry such as service in hospitals or schools. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dekene, from Old English dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to enkonein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deacon

• deacon's bench

Rhymes for deacon

• beacon
• weaken
• archdeacon
• mohican

Kids Definition

deacon

noun

dea·​con ˈdē-kən 

1

: a member of the Christian clergy next below a priest

2

: a church member in various Christian churches who has special duties