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 film follows a Cuban socialite, an English schoolteacher, and an Irish Catholic priest in Miami who spearhead a daring operation to help more than 14,000 children escape communist indoctrination and begin new lives in America — evading Castro’s secret police at every turn.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
According to George, the priest later became ill with flu-like symptoms, and his hands began to bleed.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Farmers exercised a right, a rare sight However, this display, engineered by farmers, suggests a departure from the control elite priests had over the right to worship and build centers for astronomical observation and ritual.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Back in 2018, Delbarton publicly acknowledged that at least 30 men had come forward with allegations that, over the course of three decades, they had been victimized by 13 past or current priests and monks at the school — and by a lay faculty member who is now retired.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priest
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Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
According to George, the priest later became ill with flu-like symptoms, and his hands began to bleed.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Farmers exercised a right, a rare sight However, this display, engineered by farmers, suggests a departure from the control elite priests had over the right to worship and build centers for astronomical observation and ritual.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
Back in 2018, Delbarton publicly acknowledged that at least 30 men had come forward with allegations that, over the course of three decades, they had been victimized by 13 past or current priests and monks at the school — and by a lay faculty member who is now retired.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for priest
Cite this Entry
“Priest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/priest. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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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