pastor

1 of 3

noun (1)

pas·​tor ˈpa-stər How to pronounce pastor (audio)
plural pastors
: a spiritual overseer
especially : a clergyperson serving a local church or parish
pastorship noun

pastor

2 of 3

verb

pastored; pastoring ˈpa-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce pastor (audio)

transitive verb

: to serve as pastor of
pastor a church

pastor

3 of 3

noun (2)

pas·​tor pä-ˈstȯr How to pronounce pastor (audio)
chiefly Southwestern US

Examples of pastor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Espinal built a life for himself and his family here, working in construction and volunteering as a pastor at Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama, also known as the Church of the Nazarene Jesus Loves You, in Easton, Maryland. Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025 In August 2025, Keeler and two other pastors of the church, Jerry Dorris and Tanner Cartwright, released a public statement encouraging more Christians to quietly remove the books on the shelves to keep them away from children. Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Marble, who pastors Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, and other pastors from around the state, gathered at a workshop for the African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee. Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 Bowman, 36, of College Hill, pastors a church in the West End and owns a coffee shop. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pastor

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pastour, from Anglo-French, from Latin pastor herdsman, from pascere to feed — more at food

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Latin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pastor was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pastor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastor. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pastor

noun
pas·​tor
ˈpas-tər
: a minister or priest in charge of a church or parish
pastorship
-ˌship
noun

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