parish

noun

par·​ish ˈper-ish 

ˈpa-rish

1

a(1)

: the ecclesiastical unit of area committed to one pastor

(2)

: the residents of such an area

b

British : a subdivision of a county often coinciding with an original ecclesiastical parish and constituting the unit of local government

2

: a local church community composed of the members or constituents of a Protestant church

3

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states

Examples of parish in a Sentence

The parish will be getting a new priest soon.

The parish has grown significantly in the last three years.

Recent Examples on the Web

About the Diocese of Charlotte The Diocese of Charlotte provides services to followers and the public through 92 parishes and missions, 20 schools and more than 50 ministries. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024

During his career, Gumbleton served in several parishes in Dearborn and Detroit. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Apr. 2024

Henry Whitehorn, a Democratic candidate for sheriff of Caddo Parish, La., was elected as the parish's first Black sheriff after winning election again months after a November one-vote margin win was declared unofficial when courts found evidence six people voted illegally or were ineligible. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 25 Mar. 2024

Wauwatosa Catholic School, the elementary school on the grounds, was operated jointly by St. Bernard and St. Pius X parishes beginning in 2011. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024

From restaurants to parishes, several spots around Indianapolis will offer all manner of battered seafood for the next six Fridays. —The Indianapolis Star, 15 Feb. 2024

Last week, a catholic priest at a West Side parish cited Flacco's unforeseen arrival while giving his sermon during a Mass to celebrate the Epiphany. —Tom Withers, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024

Check the parish's Facebook for last-minute updates. —The Indianapolis Star, 15 Feb. 2024

The result is the Frenchmen Party, a roving theme party that takes place in different parishes all over the island. —Annie Daly, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parisshe, from Anglo-French paroche, parosse, from Late Latin parochia, from Late Greek paroikia, from paroikos Christian, from Greek, stranger, from para- + oikos house — more at vicinity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing parish

• inter-parish
• parish-pump

Kids Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

1

a

: a section of a church district in the care of a priest or minister

b

: the persons who live in and attend the church of such a section

2

: the members of a church

3

: a division of the state of Louisiana that is similar to a county in other states

Legal Definition

parish

noun

par·​ish ˈpar-ish 

: a civil division of the state of Louisiana corresponding to a county in other states