priest

noun

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

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 The dye was also so pricey — worth more than three times its weight in gold, according to a Roman edict issued in 301 A.D. — that its use was reserved for priests, nobility and royalty. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Two different priests testified during Price’s trial, according to the outlet. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Accompanied by a crew that included sailors, soldiers, enslaved people and a priest, Cabrillo’s party departed aboard three ships from the port of Navidad, Mexico, on June 27 and entered San Diego Bay about 100 days later — which for decades has been celebrated with a reenactment and festival. Jerry Rice, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Blackthorne, an English Protestant, is immediately seen as the Catholic's enemy, hence the Jesuit priest's misleading translation. Nick Romano, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2024 More than 50 priests have been accused of abuse in the archdiocese since at least the 1950s. Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2024 But when the town’s bank is robbed by outsiders, Ulysses uncovers a deep criminal conspiracy at the heart of Normal and realizes that everyone in town, from the bartender to the priest, is in on it. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024 The poem makes its way from a priest to a mob boss in New York City, where it is taken by Tosches after he’s asked to verify its authenticity. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024 The unique challenges posed by the rainforest — immense size, wide dispersion of villages, few roads — had exacerbated the church’s shortage of priests. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'priest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of priest was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near priest

Cite this Entry

“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priest. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

priest

noun
: 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"

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