priest

noun

ˈprēst 

plural priests

: someone who is authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God

specifically : an Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic clergyperson ranking below a bishop and above a deacon

Synonyms of priest

• preacher
• cleric
• clergyman
• bishop
• minister
• deacon
• pastor
• reverend
• clerical

Examples of priest in a Sentence

He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest.

searched for a priest who could perform an exorcism

Recent Examples on the Web

Hood, a father of five who lives in Arkansas, is an Old Catholic priest, referring to a sect that broke with the Roman Catholic Church in the 1800s but still adheres to Catholic dogma. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Cornelius’s pontificate was complicated by a schism, caused by the self-appointment of the Roman priest Novatian as antipope (the second in papal history) and by the dispute over the church’s attitude toward Christian apostates. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Leo lived in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop for over 20 years. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

The seminary closed in 1972 when the Redemptorists, a religious order of Catholic priests that built the college, moved its headquarters to Wisconsin. — Courtney Bell, Baltimore Sun, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preist, from Old English prēost, ultimately from Late Latin presbyter — more at presbyter

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing priest

• high priest
• priest-ridden
• worker-priest

Rhymes for priest

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• yeast

Kids Definition

priest

noun

ˈprēst 

: a person who has the authority to lead or perform religious ceremonies

Etymology

Old English prēost "priest," derived from Latin presbyter "priest, elder," from Greek presbyteros, comparative form of presbys "old man, elder"